The performance of a lateral flow SARS-CoV-2 antibody assay and semi-autonomous SARS-CoV-2 antisense and sense RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization assay in a prospective cohort pilot study within a Dutch military population.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, diagnostic testing was not accessible for mildly ill or asymptomatic individuals. Military operational circumstances exclude the usage of reference laboratory tests. For that reason, at the beginning of the pandemic alternative test methods were needed in order to gain insight into the SARS-CoV-2 status of military personnel.

Intervertebral disc degeneration in warmblood horses: Histological and biochemical characterization.

Gross morphology of healthy and degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) is largely similar in horses as in dogs and humans. For further comparison, the biochemical composition and the histological and biochemical changes with age and degeneration were analyzed in 41 warmblood horses. From 33 horses, 139 discs and 2 fetal vertebral columns were evaluated and scored histologically.

Direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 antisense and sense genomic RNA in human saliva by semi-autonomous fluorescence in situ hybridization: A proxy for contagiousness?

Saliva is a matrix which may act as a vector for pathogen transmission and may serve as a possible proxy for SARS-CoV-2 contagiousness. Therefore, the possibility of detection of intracellular SARS-CoV-2 in saliva by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization is tested, utilizing probes targeting the antisense or sense genomic RNA of SARS-CoV-2. This method was applied in a pilot study with saliva samples collected from healthy persons and those presenting with mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms.

Effect of a long-term high-energy diet on cardiovascular parameters in Shetland pony mares.

Background: Changes in cardiovascular parameters, including blood pressure (BP) and cardiac anatomical dimensions, are an inconsistent feature of the equine metabolic syndrome. The order in which these changes arise is unknown.

Objectives: Determine the order in which EMS-associated changes in cardiovascular parameters arise.

Quantitative motor unit action potential analysis of paraspinal muscles, diagnostic imaging and necropsy findings in 36 horses suspected of cervical impairment.

Aims: To determine the relation between quantitative electromyography (QEMG) of the cervical ventral serratus muscle, radiographic findings and post-mortem gross and histopathological examination in order to calculate the ability of QEMG to localize the region of cervical compressive neuropathy and myelopathy in horses. Methods: In this clinical, non-randomised, partially blinded study (QEMG and histology), 36 warmblood horses with clinical suspicion of cervical spine disease were examined with QEMG in different segments of the ventral serratus muscle. Results were compared to normative data.

Cervical articular process joint osteochondrosis in Warmblood foals.

Background: In Warmblood horses, degenerative joint disease is involved in cervical malformation and malarticulation (CVM). The degree of contribution of articular process joint (APJ) osteochondrosis (OC) is not clear.

Objectives: (a) To explore the presence of predilection sites for APJ OC in cervical and cranial thoracic vertebral columns of Warmblood foals and (b) to examine the correlation of such a site with the predilection site of CVM.

Equine cervical intervertebral disc degeneration is associated with location and MRI features.

Morphology of the equine cervical intervertebral disc is different from that in humans and small companion animals and published imaging data are scarcely available. The objectives of this exploratory, methods comparison study were (a) to describe MRI features of macroscopically nondegenerated and degenerated intervertebral discs (b) to test associations between spinal location and macroscopic degeneration or MRI-detected annular protrusion and between MRI-detected annular protrusion and macroscopic degeneration, and (c) to define MRI sequences for characterizing equine cervical intervertebral disc degeneration. Ex vivo MRI of intervertebral discs was performed in 11 horses with clinical signs related to the cervical region prior to macroscopic assessment.

Caudal cervical vertebral morphological variation is not associated with clinical signs in Warmblood horses.

Background: Variation in equine caudal cervical spine morphology at C6 and C7 has high prevalence in Warmblood horses and is suspected to be associated with pain in a large mixed-breed group of horses. At present no data exist on the relationship between radiographic phenotype and clinical presentation in Warmblood horses in a case-control study.

Objectives: To establish the frequency of radiographically visible morphologic variation in a large group of Warmblood horses with clinical signs and compare this with a group without clinical signs.

Phosphorus content of muscle tissue and muscle function in dairy cows fed a phosphorus-deficient diet during the transition period.

Phosphorus (P) deficiency and hypophosphatemia are believed to be associated with muscle function disturbances in dairy cows, particularly around parturition. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary P deprivation during late gestation and early lactation on muscle P homeostasis and muscle function in periparturient dairy cows. Thirty-six multiparous dairy cows in late gestation were randomly assigned either to undergo dietary P depletion or to be offered a diet with adequate P content from 4 wk before to 4 wk after parturition.

Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Warmblood Horses: Morphology, Grading, and Distribution of Lesions.

Equine intervertebral disc degeneration is thought to be rare and of limited clinical relevance, although research is lacking. To objectively assess pathological changes of the equine intervertebral disc and their clinical relevance, description of the normal morphology and a practical, biologically credible grading scheme are needed. The objectives of this study are to describe the gross and histological appearance of the equine intervertebral discs and to propose a grading scheme for macroscopic degeneration.

EX VIVO COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF MORPHOLOGY VARIATIONS IN EQUINE CERVICAL VERTEBRAE.

Diagnostic imaging is one of the pillars in the clinical workup of horses with clinical signs of cervical spinal disease. An improved awareness of morphologic variations in equine cervical vertebrae would be helpful for interpreting findings. The aim of this anatomic study was to describe CT variations in left-right symmetry and morphology of the cervical and cervicothoracic vertebrae in a sample of horses.

The potential and limitations of quantitative electromyography in equine medicine.

This review discusses the scope of using (quantitative) electromyography (EMG) in diagnosing myopathies and neuropathies in equine patients. In human medicine, many EMG methods are available for the diagnosis, pathophysiological description and evaluation, monitoring, or rehabilitation of patients, and some of these techniques have also been applied to horses. EMG results are usually combined with other neurophysiological data, ultrasound, histochemistry, biochemistry of muscle biopsies, and clinical signs in order to provide a complete picture of the condition and its clinical course.

The use of electromyography interference pattern analysis to determine muscle force of the deep digital flexor muscle in healthy and laminitic horses.

Background: In equine laminitis, the deep digital flexor muscle (DDFM) appears to have increased muscle force, but evidence-based confirmation is lacking.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test if the DDFM of laminitic equines has an increased muscle force detectable by needle electromyography interference pattern analysis (IPA).

Animals And Methods: The control group included six Royal Dutch Sport horses, three Shetland ponies and one Welsh pony [10 healthy, sound adults weighing 411 ± 217 kg (mean ± SD) and aged 10 ± 5 years].

Clinical Research Abstracts of the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015.

Reasons For Performing Study: Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited.

Clinical Research Abstracts of the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015.

Reasons For Performing Study: In cases of laminitis, an increased muscle force or contracture of the deep digital flexor muscle (DDFM) is suggested, but evidence-based research is lacking.

Objectives: To test if the DDFM of laminitic equines shows an increased muscle force detectable by needle-EMG including Interference Pattern Analysis (IPA).

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

The effect of transient, moderate dietary phosphorus deprivation on phosphorus metabolism, muscle content of different phosphorus-containing compounds, and muscle function in dairy cows.

Hypophosphatemia is a common finding in periparturient and anorectic cattle. Although the clinical relevance of hypophosphatemia in cattle is uncertain, it has been empirically associated with persistent recumbency, specifically in periparturient dairy cows. The objective of the present study was to determine if transient dietary phosphorus (P) deprivation over a course of 5 wk, by feeding an approximately 40% P-deficient ration to lactating dairy cows, would result in altered muscle function or muscle P metabolism severe enough to present a risk for animal health and well-being.

Quantitative motor unit action potential analysis of supraspinatus, infraspinatus, deltoideus and biceps femoris muscles in adult Royal Dutch sport horses.

Reasons For Performing Study: Reference values for quantitative electromyography (QEMG) in shoulder and hindlimb muscles of horses are limited.

Objectives: To determine normative data on QEMG analysis of supraspinatus (SS), infraspinatus (IS), deltoideus (DT) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles.

Study Design: Experimental observational study and retrospective case series.

Esophageal Dysfunction in Friesian Horses: Morphological Features.

Megaesophagus appears to be more common in Friesian horses than in other breeds. A prevalence of approximately 2% was observed among Friesian horses presented to the Wolvega Equine Clinic and the Utrecht University Equine Clinic. In this study, morphologic changes in the esophagi of Friesian horses with megaesophagus were compared with those of 6 control horses.

Determination of equine deep digital flexor muscle volume based on distances between anatomical landmarks.

In equine medicine the use of Botox® is experimental. Dosages are determined from human treatment-protocols and limited numbers of equine studies. Determination of target-muscle volume can be helpful to extrapolate human dosages.

The equine cervical spine: comparing MRI and contrast-enhanced CT images with anatomic slices in the sagittal, dorsal, and transverse plane.

Background: The impact of cervical pathology on performance is of great importance to the horse industry. Accurate diagnosis of cervical disease with imaging modalities, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), requires thorough appreciation of normal cervical anatomy.

Objectives: (1) To describe in detail the anatomy of the equine cervical spine by comparing anatomical sections with corresponding MR and contrast-enhanced CT images in the sagittal, dorsal, and transverse plane.

Effect of different head and neck positions on behaviour, heart rate variability and cortisol levels in lunged Royal Dutch Sport horses.

Different head-and-neck positions (HNPs) are discussed in relation to potential welfare issues. To evaluate the effect on welfare, seven Royal Dutch Sport horses were studied in five predetermined HNPs: (1) unrestrained (HNP1); (2) neck raised, bridge of nose around the vertical (HNP2); (3) neck lowered and considerably flexed, bridge of nose pointing towards the chest (HNP4); (4) neck raised and extended, bridge of nose in front of the vertical (HNP5), and (5) neck lowered and flexed, bridge of nose pointing towards the carpus (HNP7). A standardised exercise test (SET) of 34 min consisted of trot, canter and walk.

The effect of Clostridium botulinum toxin type A injections on motor unit activity of the deep digital flexor muscle in healthy sound Royal Dutch sport horses.

Therapeutic reduction of the activity of the deep digital flexor (DDF) muscle may play a role in treatment of laminitic horses. Clostridium botulinum toxin type A induces reduced muscle activity and has a spasmolytic effect in horses. In this study, the effectiveness of 200 IU C.

Effect of Clostridium botulinum toxin type A injections into the deep digital flexor muscle on the range of motion of the metacarpus and carpus, and the force distribution underneath the hooves, of sound horses at the walk.

In the treatment of laminitis, reducing deep digital flexor muscle (DDFM) activity might diminish its pull on the distal phalanx, thereby preventing displacement and providing pain relief. Injection of Clostridium botulinum toxin type A into the DDFM of horses is potentially therapeutic. However, the effects of C.

Pressure plate analysis of toe-heel and medio-lateral hoof balance at the walk and trot in sound sport horses.

Empirically, equine distal limb lameness is often linked to hoof imbalance. To objectively quantify dynamic toe-heel and medio-lateral hoof balance of the vertical ground reaction force in sound sport horses, seven Royal Dutch Sport Horses were led at the walk and trot over a dynamically calibrated pressure plate. Forelimb hoof prints were divided into a toe and heel region and a medial and lateral zone.