Analgesic efficacy of tapentadol in chronic joint disorders in horses: plasma serotonin concentration and adrenocortical response as biomarkers of pain-induced stress.

The study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of tapentadol in horses, by determining plasma serotonin concentration and adrenocortical response, as biomarkers of pain stress in chronic joint disorders. Thirty-six horses (20 females and 16 males) were divided into three groups of 12 subjects each: group A, osteoarthritis (OA), grade 3-4 lameness; group B, OA, grade 5 lameness; and group C, no OA, no lameness, were enrolled. The orthopedic examination included flexion tests, and radiological and ultrasound examinations.

Immune and Inflammatory Response of Donkeys (Equus asinus) Tested Positive to Tick-borne Pathogens.

Among infection diseases transmitted by arthropods, the equine vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks represent an emerging problem worldwide due to their morbidity and mortality and, in some cases, to their zoonotic relevance. Understanding the host immune/inflammatory response to the pathogens is crucial to develop effective methods of diagnosis, control and treatment. This study aimed to evaluate red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin content (MCH), mean cell hemoglobin (MCHC), platelets (PLT), white blood cells (WBC), leukocytes populations, and serum protein pattern of Sardinian donkeys scored positive to tick-borne pathogens.

Use of saline contrast ultrasonography in the diagnosis of complete jugular vein occlusion in a horse.

Background: Thrombophlebitis and thrombosis are the most common causes of jugular vein occlusion in horses. Medical and surgical treatments aim to recanalize the occluded vessel and reduce proximal venous congestion and edema.

Case Description: The present report describes a clinical case of equine jugular vein thrombosis (JVT) with complete vein occlusion diagnosed by saline contrast ultrasonography (SCU) and confirmed by contrast venography.

Sheep embryonic stem-like cells engrafted into sheep femoral condyle osteochondral defects: 4-year follow-up.

Background: Articular cartilage lacks a regenerative response. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a source of pluripotent cells for cartilage regeneration. Their use, however, is associated with a risk of teratoma development, which depends on multiple factors including the number of engrafted cells and their degree of histocompatibility with recipients, the immunosuppression of the host and the site of transplantation.

Development of a Device-Assisted Nerve-Regeneration Procedure in Disruptive Lesions of the Brachial Plexus.

Background:  We describe the development of a new surgical procedure to be used in the treatment of disruptive brachial plexus (BP) lesions. It is centered on an artificial device designed to assist nerve regeneration by providing a confined and protected environment. Nerve fibers can repair inside the device, while the adverse massive scar-tissue formation is limited to the outside of the device.

Second Generation Needling Techniques for the Treatment of Chondral Defects in Animal Model.

 To compare the macroscopic, histological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of the repair tissue of chondral defects treated with microfracture and nanofracture in an ovine model.  Full-thickness chondral lesions were created in the medial femoral condyle of both knees in four adult sheep and were treated with microfracture on one side and with nanofracture on the contralateral side. Chondral repair was assessed after 12 months by macroscopic, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses.

REAC technology as optimizer of stallion spermatozoa liquid storage.

Background: REAC technology (acronym for Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyor) is a technology platform for neuro and bio modulation. It has already proven to optimize the ions fluxes at the molecular level and the molecular mechanisms driving cellular asymmetry and polarization.

Methods: This study was designed to verify whether this technology could extend spermatozoa life-span during liquid storage, while preserving their functions, DNA integrity and oxidative status.

The use of embryonic cells in the treatment of osteochondral defects of the knee: an ovine in vivo study.

Purpose: the aim of this study was to determine whether local delivery of embryonic stem-like (ESL) cells into osteochondral defects in the femoral condyles of sheep would enhance regeneration of hyaline articular cartilage.

Methods: male ESL cells embedded in fibrin glue were engrafted into osteochondral defects in the medial condyles (ESL-M) of the left femur in 22 ewes. An identical defect was created in the medial condyle of the contralateral stifle joint and left untreated as a control (empty defect, ED).

Magnetic resonance imaging features of progressive ethmoid hematoma in 2 horses.

Progressive ethmoid hematoma is frequently reported among the pathologies of the upper airways in horses. While several hypotheses have been proposed such as repeated trauma, inflammatory processes and/or chronic infections, congenital phenomena, complication of hemangiomas, and neoplastic processes, the aetiology of this condition is yet unknown. Clinical symptoms are non-specific and includes haemorrhagic nasal discharge, respiratory noise not related to physical exercise and, in most severe cases, phenomena of coughing.

Treatment with embryonic stem-like cells into osteochondral defects in sheep femoral condyles.

Background: Articular cartilage has poor intrinsic capacity for regeneration because of its avascularity and very slow cellular turnover. Defects deriving from trauma or joint disease tend to be repaired with fibrocartilage rather than hyaline cartilage. Consequent degenerative processes are related to the width and depth of the defect.

Absence of canine papillomavirus sequences in canine mammary tumours.

Human papillomaviruses (PVs) are found in human breast cancer tissue; however, it remains controversial as to whether these viruses play a role in the aetiology of this tumour. There has been minimal study of whether PVs are found in normal or abnormal mammary glands of animals. The present study investigated whether a PV sequence could be found in the mammary glands of 33 female dogs by rolling circle amplification and polymerase chain reaction.

The effect of radio electric asymmetric conveyer treatment on sperm parameters of subfertile stallions: a pilot study.

The Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC) has been mostly applied to treat symptoms related to psychological stress. In the study, we demonstrated the effect of REAC-Veterinary Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization (VNPPO) treatment protocol on sperm parameters of subfertile (n=11) and fertile (n=4) stallions. Subfertile stallions showed a reduced sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology compared to fertile stallions.

Capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection for ATP quantification in spermatozoa and oocytes.

We describe a new capillary electrophoresis laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) method for the quantification of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in spermatozoa and oocytes. The optimization of the precapillary derivatization reaction between ATP and 4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4adiaza-s-indacene-3-propionyl ethylene diamine hydrochloride (BODIPY FL EDA) has been described. BODIPY-ATP conjugate was analysed in an uncoated fused silica capillary of 75 μm ID and 50 cm effective length using a 10 mmol/L tribasic sodium phosphate buffer, pH 11.

Sheep embryonic stem-like cells transplanted in full-thickness cartilage defects.

Articular cartilage regeneration is limited. Embryonic stem (ES) cell lines provide a source of totipotent cells for regenerating cartilage. Anatomical, biomechanical, physiological and immunological similarities between humans and sheep make this animal an optimal experimental model.

Plastic and behavioral abnormalities in experimental Huntington's disease: a crucial role for cholinergic interneurons.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal hereditary neurodegenerative disease causing degeneration of striatal spiny neurons, whereas cholinergic interneurons are spared. This cell-type specific pathology produces an array of abnormalities including involuntary movements, cognitive impairments, and psychiatric disorders. Although the genetic mutation responsible for HD has been identified, little is known about the early synaptic changes occurring within the striatal circuitry at the onset of clinical symptoms.

Carboplatin sustained delivery system using injectable microspheres.

A controlled carboplatin delivery system using biodegradable polymer has been used in this study. The purpose was to evaluate the local and systemic effects of injectable, biodegradable microspheres containing carboplatin when injected as aqueous suspension subcutaneously in rats. Biocompatibility and toxicity of empty microspheres and microspheres loaded with carboplatin were evaluated by clinical and histological examination.

Enriched environment promotes behavioral and morphological recovery in a mouse model for the fragile X syndrome.

Fragile X syndrome, the most frequent form of hereditary mental retardation, is due to a mutation of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene on the X chromosome. Like fragile X patients, FMR1-knockout (FMR1-KO) mice lack the normal fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) and show both cognitive alterations and an immature neuronal morphology. We reared FMR1-KO mice in a C57BL/6 background in enriched environmental conditions to examine the possibility that experience-dependent stimulation alleviates their behavioral and neuronal abnormalities.

Reversible inactivation of hippocampus and dorsolateral striatum in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 inbred mice failed to show interaction between memory systems in these genotypes.

C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice with cannulae inserted bilaterally in the dorsal hippocampus or the dorsolateral striatum were released from the south arm of a cross maze and trained to find food in the east arm. Probe trials on which mice were released from the north arm were given following short or prolonged training. Prior to the probe trials, mice received intra-hippocampal or intra-striatal injections of lidocaine or saline.

Potentiation of ischemia-related behavioral alterations by electro-acupuncture in gerbils.

Gerbils subjected to global ischemia or sham-ischemia received electro-acupuncture (EA) or sham EA at points 26 Du (Renzhong) and 8 Du (Junsuo). All animals were then tested for motor activity in an open field, and for spontaneous alternation in a T maze. Results show that EA alone did not affect any behavioral parameter.

Enhanced procedural learning following beta-amyloid protein (1-42) infusion in the rat.

Wistar rats receiving intracerebroventricular infusion of the beta-amyloid protein (Abeta1-42) or of the inactive fragment (Abeta1-42) were subjected to the cross-maze task. According to the standard protocol, rats were released from the south arm and trained to collect food at the end of the east arm. After a 5-day training period, they were given a probe trial during which they were released from the north arm and allowed to choose either the east arm (place learning) or the west arm (response learning).

Effects of MK-801 and ethanol combinations on memory consolidation in CD1 mice: involvement of GABAergic mechanisms.

In the present research the effect of the noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801 and ethanol combinations on memory consolidation and the involvement of GABAergic mechanisms in this effect were investigated in CD1 mice injected intraperitoneally with the drugs immediately or 120 min after training in a one-trial inhibitory avoidance apparatus and tested for retention 24 h later. The results showed that (a) the retention performances of mice were impaired in a dose-dependent manner by immediate posttraining MK-801 (0.2 and 0.

Genetic approach to variability of memory systems: analysis of place vs. response learning and fos-related expression in hippocampal and striatal areas of C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice.

C57 and DBA mice were trained in a crossed maze to assess possible strain differences in place or response learning as a function of training duration (8 or 17 days) and extramaze cueing conditions. The first condition consisted of a diffuse visually cued environment (rich cueing). The second was the same plus an explicit visual cue marking the direction of the baited arm (rich cueing plus cue).

The strain-specific involvement of nucleus accumbens in latent inhibition might depend on differences in processing configural- and cue-based information between C57BL/6 and DBA mice.

Latent inhibition (LI) consists of decreased associative strength between an elemental stimulus (CS: tone) paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US: footshock) following non-reinforced pre-exposure to the tone. In view of the differences shown by C57BL/6 (C57) and DBA/2 (DBA) mice in processing elemental vs. configural stimuli, the present experiments were designed (1) to assess whether these differences were likely to interfere with the capability of each strain to show LI, and (2) to verify the extent to which lesions of the nucleus accumbens, which have been reported to enhance attention towards contextual stimuli under certain conditions, might interfere with the development of LI.

Learning about the context in genetically-defined mice.

Defective utilisation of background stimuli may result in a large range of cognitive impairments. We describe here three experimental paradigms taxing the processing of contextual information, (i) radial maze learning under distinct cueing conditions and successive context shifts; (ii) reactivity to spatial and object change; (iii) contextual versus cue fear conditioning with pre-test exposure to the experimental context. These paradigms have then been used to characterise the behaviour of null mutant and transgenic mice.