Development of an ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation technique in the equine cadaveric distal limb: histological findings and potential for treating chronic lameness.

Introduction: Radiofrequency (RF) relieves chronic pain in humans, but it is unexplored in horses affected by chronic lameness. This study aims to describe the technique and the histological effects of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of palmar digital nerves (PDNs) in horse's fetlock and pastern, .

Methods: After assessing the US anatomy of lateral and medial PDNs in fetlock and pastern ( = 10 horses; 20 forelimbs), US-guided RFA was performed on these sites in cadaveric forelimbs ( = 10) applying four different settings with increasing invasiveness ( = 40 total treatments): 60°C, 6 min (GROUP LOW); 70°C, 4 min (GROUP MEDIUM); 90°C, 2 min (GROUP HIGH); 80°C, 8 min (GROUP VERY HIGH).

Tobacco Seed-Based Oral Vaccination against Verocytotoxic O138 as Alternative Approach to Antibiotics in Weaned Piglets.

Post-weaning diarrhoea and enterotoxaemia caused by are serious threats in the pig () livestock industry and are responsible for economic losses related to mortality, morbidity and stunted growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an engineered tobacco seeds-based edible vaccine in O138 -challenged piglets throughout a multidisciplinary approach. Thirty-six weaned piglets were enrolled and randomly divided into two experimental groups, a control (C; = 18) group and a tobacco edible vaccination group (T, = 18), for 29 days of trial.

Swine intestinal segment perfusion model for the evaluation of nutrients bioaccessibility.

Nutrition science requires more science-based evidences for the development of effective functional diets. To reduce animals for experimental purposes innovative reliable and informative models, simulating the complex intestinal physiology, are needed. The aim of this study was to develop a swine duodenum segment perfusion model for the evaluation of nutrient bioaccessibility and functionality across time.

Platelet-rich plasma and ovarian quiescence: a bovine model for regeneration of the ovary.

Context: Ovarian quiescence can be due to hormonal deficiency usually caused by apoptosis of granulosa cells responsible for oestrogen synthesis.

Aim: This study evaluated the regenerative effect of platelet rich plasma (PRP) on bovine in vitro models to understand its effect on granulosa cells.

Methods: Quiescent and healthy ovarian sections were cultured in the presence/absence of PRP for 72h and, at different times (0, 24, 48 and 72h), hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical detection of Ki-67 were performed.

Protective effect of phytogenic plus short and medium-chain fatty acids-based additives in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli challenged piglets.

Post Weaning Diarrhea (PWD) is the most important multifactorial gastroenteric disease of the weaning in pig livestock. Phytogenic (PHY) natural extracts are largely studied as alternatives to antibiotic treatments in combating the global concern of the antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of innovative phytogenic premix with or without short and medium chain fatty acids (SCFA and MCFA) in O138 Escherichia coli challenged piglets.

Translational Approach to Induce and Evaluate Verocytotoxic O138 Based Disease in Piglets.

Pig livestock was influenced by several global concerns that imposed a re-thinking of the farming system, which included the reduction in chemical dependency and the development of antimicrobial alternatives. Post-weaning diarrhea and enterotoxaemia caused by are serious threats that are responsible for the economic losses related to mortality, morbidity and stunted growth in weaning piglets. The aim of the study was to set up experimental conditions to simulate the simultaneous outbreak of post-weaning diarrhea and enterotoxaemia in weaned piglets, through verocytotoxic O138 challenge, with a multidisciplinary approach.

Case Report: Use of Amniotic Microvesicles for Regenerative Medicine Treatment of a Mare With Chronic Endometritis.

Chronic endometritis is an inflammation in the inner layer of uterine mucosa, with or without an infectious process, which affects the animal's fertility but not its general health. A variety of treatments has been adopted over the years but to date, no effective cures have been able to renew the injured tissue. Since the defects in the fetal-maternal communication are caused by degenerative changes due to chronic endometrial inflammation, our working hypothesis was a new approach to this disease by the regenerative medicine using amniotic derived microvesicles (MVs) for their anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects.

Retrospective analysis of iatrogenic diseases in cattle requiring admission to a veterinary hospital.

Iatrogenic diseases in veterinary medicine are often related to malpractice or lack of skill. For this retrospective study, 4262 clinical records of cattle admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital of the University of Milan between 2005 and 2017 were analysed, and 121 cases (2.8 per cent), referred for an iatrogenic-related disease, were selected.

Prevalence and molecular characterisation of Sarcocystis miescheriana and Sarcocystis suihominis in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Italy.

A sample of the diaphragm was collected from each of 100 wild boars legally hunted in the Val Grande National Park in north-western Italy and examined for the presence of Sarcocystis infection by histological and molecular methods. In histological sections, thick-walled sarcocysts consistent with those of Sarcocystis miescheriana were detected in 32 wild boars. Genomic DNA extracted from diaphragm samples was initially subjected to PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region, and 97 wild boars were found to harbour a Sarcocystis infection at this screening.

A novel endovenous scaffold for the treatment of chronic venous obstruction in a porcine model: Histological and ultrastructural assessment.

Objective: To investigate the biological effects of a novel endovenous scaffold in a porcine model.

Methods: Petalo is a compliant venous scaffold implanted into the internal jugular veins of 12 healthy pigs. The pigs were sacrificed at one, two, three, and six months, respectively.

Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in hypothalamus and ovary of Capra hircus.

Background: DNA methylation is a frequently studied epigenetic modification due to its role in regulating gene expression and hence in biological processes and in determining phenotypic plasticity in organisms. Rudimentary DNA methylation patterns for some livestock species are publically available: among these, goat methylome deserves to be further explored.

Results: Genome-wide DNA methylation maps of the hypothalamus and ovary from Saanen goats were generated using Methyl-CpG binding domain protein sequencing (MBD-seq).

Effects of platelet-rich plasma in a model of bovine endometrial inflammation in vitro.

Background: Endometritis reduces fertility and is responsible for major economic losses in beef and dairy industries. The aim of this study was to evaluate an alternative therapy using platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP was tested in vivo, after bovine intrauterine administration, and in vitro on endometrial cells.

Severe thymic hyperplasia in a newborn calf associated with impaired T-cell differentiation.

A 1-day-old female Holstein-Friesian calf was presented for severe dyspnea. Physical examination revealed respiratory distress, moderate edema of the ventral neck, and swollen jugular veins. The calf died and was submitted for necropsy.

Contracted foal syndrome associated with multiple malformations in two foals.

Congenital anomalies in horses are very rare, and contracted foal syndrome is one of the most commonly reported. This malformation is characterized by contraction of the joints of the forelimbs and/or hindlimbs. In addition, the syndrome can be characterized by vertebral column malformations, such as scoliosis or torticollis, and cranial deformity.

A case of umbilical cord teratoma in an aborted foal.

A 16-year-old primiparous mare aborted an apparently normal fetus at 240 days of gestation. A large, oval mass, measuring approximately 20 cm × 30 cm × 20 cm, was detected attached to the umbilical cord of the fetus. On the cut surface, the mass showed multifocal cystic structures, foci of mineralization, and diffuse hemorrhages.

Segmental spinal cord hypoplasia in a Holstein Friesian calf.

An 8-day-old female Holstein Friesian calf was examined because of congenital spastic paresis of the hind limbs. Myelography revealed deviation and thinning of subarachnoid contrast medium columns in the lumbar segment. Upon magnetic resonance imaging, the 'hour-glass' subdural compression appeared as a T1-hypointense, T2-hyperintense ovoidal area suggestive of cerebral spinal fluid collection, compatible with hydrosyringomyelia.

Perineal choristoma and atresia ani in 2 female Holstein Friesian calves.

Atresia ani, a congenital anomaly of the anus, can be associated with other types of malformation. Two female Holstein Friesian calves had imperforate anus, rectovaginal fistula, and perineal choristomas. In one case, the choristoma was composed of mature adipose and fibrous tissue with nephrogenic rests.

Thoraco-omphalopagus conjoined twins in Chamois-coloured domestic goat kids.

Conjoined twins have been observed in a wide range of mammalian and non-mammalian species; they are considered to be more common in bovine, less frequent in sheep and pig and extremely rare in horse and goat. A pair of female conjoined twins was delivered from a 2-year-old Chamois-coloured domestic goat. Post-mortem examination revealed two identical and symmetrical twins, fused from the manubrium sterni to the region just caudal to the umbilicus.

Elaphostrongylus cervi in a population of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and evidence of cerebrospinal nematodiasis in small ruminants in the province of Varese, Italy.

Thirty-one faecal samples were collected from red deer in the northern area of Varese, in the Italian region of Lombardy, between August and October 2008. The animals had either been hunted or accidently killed. Examination for internal parasites showed a prevalence of 45.

Imaging diagnosis--split cord malformation.

The features of a calf with a split cord malformation are described. Clinically, there was severe cervicothoracic kyphoscoliosis and an interscapular dermal sinus associated with cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Using magnetic resonance imaging, complete duplication of the spinal cord at the cervical intumescence was detected.

Repeated occurrence of jejuno-jejunal intussusception in a calf.

This paper reports the clinical findings, diagnostic imaging, surgical management, and necropsy of an unusual case of jejuno-jejunal intussusception in a calf that was diagnosed with the use of ultrasonography, and treated surgically by resection and end-to-end anastomosis. The calf fatally relapsed 8 d after laparotomy. Necropsy and histology revealed enteritis and myenteric ganglionitis.

Spinal epidural abscess in two calves.

Objective: To report clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical or necropsy findings, and outcome in 2 calves with spinal epidural abscess (SEA).

Study Design: Clinical report.

Animals: Calves (n=2).

Activated protein C protection from lung inflammation in endotoxin-induced injury.

We studied the protection of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) in endotoxin-induced lung inflammation and injury and whether this effect is correlated with modulation of lung matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. We randomly assigned 12 Large White pigs to receive intravenous Escher-ichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 40 mu g/kg/hr), rhAPC (24 mu g/ kg/hr), or both. We monitored respiratory mechanics and function, cell counts, and cytokine concentrations in bron-choalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Morphological features of the placenta at term in the Martina Franca donkey.

This study was designed to establish the morphological features of the placenta of the Martina Franca jenny. Ten placentas were harvested at the time of foal delivery and examined both for gross and histological characteristics. The following factors were determined: the total weight and volume of the placenta and its components, the surface area of the allantochorion, umbilical cord length and site of insertion, and the diameter of the umbilical cord vessels and vascular pattern type.