Insights from an online survey: Veterinary surgeons' antibiotic practices in ophthalmic surgery in Germany.

Purpose: To investigate antibiotic usage practices in ophthalmic surgeries in Germany.

Materials And Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to veterinary surgeons (general veterinarians and veterinarians with additional qualification in ophthalmology) inquiring about their antibiotic preferences, administration methods, and factors affecting antibiotic usage in ophthalmic surgical procedures.

Results: A total of 417 questionnaires were analyzed.

Spontaneous soft tissue tumours in aged mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp).

Mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp) are small Madagascan strepsirrhine primates increasingly used as an animal model in ageing research. During a period of 10 years, neoplastic disease occurred in 47 grey (Microcebus murinus) and Goodman's (Microcebus lehilahtsara) mouse lemurs from a captive colony in Germany. Approximately half of these tumours appeared histologically as soft tissue tumours (STTs) with a significantly higher proportion of STTs in Goodman's mouse lemurs (87.

Circulation of West Nile virus and Usutu virus in birds in Germany, 2021 and 2022.

Background: Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are zoonotic arthropod-borne orthoflaviviruses. The enzootic transmission cycles of both include mosquitoes as vectors and birds as amplifying hosts. For more than 10 years, these viruses have been monitored in birds in Germany by a multidisciplinary network.

Porcine Nose Atrophy Assessed by Automatic Imaging and Detection of and Other Respiratory Pathogens in Lung and Nose.

The nasal mucosa is a crucial filtering organ to prevent attachment and invasion of pathogens. To assess nasal health in relation to lung health, transverse cross sections of the nasal turbinates of 121 pigs suffering from respiratory disease and sent for diagnostic necropsy were scored visually and by an artificial intelligence (AI) medical diagnostic application (AI DIAGNOS), resulting in a high correlation of both scores ( < 0.001).

Dicer-2 mutations in cells lead to a diminished antiviral function against Rift Valley fever virus and Bunyamwera virus infection.

Mosquitoes are known to transmit different arthropod-borne viruses belonging to various virus families. The exogenous small interfering RNA pathway plays an important role in the mosquito defence against such virus infections, with Dicer-2 (Dcr2) as one of the key proteins that initiates the cleavage of viral dsRNAs into 21 nt long virus-derived small interfering RNAs. Previous data identified the importance of various motifs in Dcr2 for its small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated antiviral activity.

Measures for Quality Assurance of Electronic Examinations in a Veterinary Medical Curriculum.

Since 2008, electronic examinations have been conducted at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany which are analyzed extensively in the current study. The aim is to assess the quality of examinations, the status quo of the electronic examination system and the implementation of recommendations regarding the conduct of exams at the TiHo. Based on the results suitable indicators for the evaluation of examinations and items as well as adequate quality assurance measures and item formats are to be identified.

A human monoclonal antibody neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants containing the L452R mutation.

The effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic antibodies targeting the spike (S) receptor-binding domain (RBD) has been hampered by the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs), which have acquired mutations to escape neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). These mutations are not evenly distributed on the RBD surface but cluster on several distinct surfaces, suggesting an influence of the targeted epitope on the capacity to neutralize a broad range of VOCs. Here, we identified a potent nAb from convalescent patients targeting the receptor-binding domain of a broad range of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

Insulin signaling in insulin-dysregulated Icelandic horses.

The underlying molecular mechanisms leading to insulin dysregulation are poorly understood in horses. Therefore, this study aimed to determine if insulin dysregulation is associated with an altered basal expression and extent of phosphorylation of key proteins of the insulin signaling cascade in liver (LT), muscle (MT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) under basal and stimulated conditions. Twelve Icelandic horses were subjected (1) to an oral glucose (Gluc PO) challenge and (2) to an intravenous (Ins IV) insulin challenge in a crossover study.

Machine learning reveals correlations between brain age and mechanics.

Our brain undergoes significant micro- and macroscopic changes throughout its life cycle. It is therefore crucial to understand the effect of aging on the mechanical properties of the brain in order to develop accurate personalized simulations and diagnostic tools. Here we systematically probed the mechanical behavior of n=439 brain tissue samples in tension and compression, in different anatomical regions, for different axon orientations, across five age groups.

Correlation of intratumoral mast cell quantity with psychosocial distress in patients with pancreatic cancer: the PancStress study.

Mast cells are commonly found in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet their role in the disease remains uncertain. Although mast cells have been associated with depression in several diseases, their connection to PDAC in this context remains unclear. This study explored the correlation between mast cells and psychosocial stress in patients with PDAC.

Use of organic material provided by an automatic enrichment device by weaner pigs and its influence on tail lesions.

Providing pigs with organic enrichment material is important for satisfying pigs' natural explorative behavior to prevent injurious tail biting and thus increase animal welfare in general. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of automatically supplied enrichment material of three different types (alfalfa pellets, oat bran pellets, or a mixture of both) and different enrichment frequencies (2, 4, or 6 supplies/day) on the behavior, the occurrence of tail biting, and daily weight gains of weaner pigs. The results showed significant effects and interactions of enrichment material, frequency and the time of day on the exploratory behavior, the occurrence of tail biting, and daily weight gains.

Evaluation of canine and feline tumors in Morocco: Results of a prospective observational study of 250 cases (2020-2023).

This work aimed to evaluate the histologic tumor types and patient characteristics of canine and feline neoplasias in Morocco. In a prospective, observational study, 250 tumor samples were collected from veterinary clinics in Morocco. For each case, breed, age, sex, neuter status, and tumor site and histotype were analyzed.

Progression of cyclosporine A-blood levels in experimental cats receiving a high-dose treatment protocol.

Background: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is used as a steroid-sparing or alternative immunosuppressing agent in cats with various immune-mediated diseases such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Daily treatment dosages of 5-20 mg/kg have been described. Interindividual variations in CsA blood levels are known to occur.

Of potential new treatment targets and polythetic approach in meningoencephalitis of unknown origin: a review.

Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) represents an umbrella term for inflammatory, non-infectious central nervous system (CNS) diseases in dogs. Current therapeutic approaches, involving long-term glucocorticosteroid use, often fail to provide adequate relief or cure, and the effectiveness of additional immunosuppressive medications remains uncertain. Future advancements in MUO treatment may benefit from patient-specific therapies, potentially enhancing treatment precision, efficacy, and minimizing side effects.

Characterization of white blood cell ratios in South American camelids presented at a veterinary teaching hospital.

White blood cell (WBC) ratios are used as diagnostic markers for various inflammatory or tumor diseases as well as stress in a broad range of species. The aim of this work was to provide data on five WBC ratios (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], band neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [BLR], band neutrophil-to-neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [BNLR], band neutrophil-to-neutrophil ratio [BNR] and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio [LMR]) in South American camelids (SAC) and characterize their association with demographic and important diagnostic parameters. Medical records of 307 SAC (275 alpacas, 32 llamas) that were presented at a veterinary teaching hospital were evaluated retrospectively.

Age-dependent haemogram and sex-dependent serum biochemistry values in semi-feral Konik horses.

Semi-feral, free-roaming Konik polski horses are used in some European countries for preserving semi-open pasture landscapes. The estimation of their health status is still limited by insufficient data on various blood parameters. Therefore, our study aimed at the sex- and age-dependent analysis of haemogram and selected biochemistry parameters in healthy, semi-feral Koniks.

The molecular anti-metastatic potential of CBD and THC from Lebanese Cannabis via apoptosis induction and alterations in autophagy.

The medicinal plant Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa) is currently being extensively studied to determine the full extent of its therapeutic pharmacological potential.

A single treatment with a fluralaner injectable suspension (Bravecto injectable) provides 1-year efficacy against Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Ctenocephalides felis in dogs.

Background: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) and Ctenocephalides felis are among the most important year-round ectoparasites of dogs.

Proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles derived from canine mammary tumour cell lines identifies protein signatures specific for disease state.

Background: Canine mammary tumours (CMT) are among the most common types of tumours in female dogs. Diagnosis currently requires invasive tissue biopsies and histological analysis. Tumour cells shed extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing RNAs and proteins with potential for liquid biopsy diagnostics.

Correction: Rothen et al. Preclinical Evaluation of Novel Sterically Optimized VLP-Based Vaccines against All Four DENV Serotypes. 2024, , 874.

The authors would like to make the following corrections to this published paper [...

Investigations on the Health Status and Infection Risk of Harbour Seals () from Waters of the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea, Germany.

Harbour seals () are the most common pinniped species in the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg and Lower Saxony, Germany. Their numbers have recovered after significant depletion due to viral outbreaks and effects of anthropogenic activities like pollution and habitat disturbance. Within the Wadden Sea National Park of Lower Saxony the harbour seal is protected.

Implementation of an Immunoassay Based on the MVA-T7pol-Expression System for Rapid Identification of Immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 Antigens: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

The emergence of hitherto unknown viral pathogens presents a great challenge for researchers to develop effective therapeutics and vaccines within a short time to avoid an uncontrolled global spread, as seen during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, rapid and simple methods to identify immunogenic antigens as potential therapeutical targets are urgently needed for a better pandemic preparedness. To address this problem, we chose the well-characterized Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-T7pol expression system to establish a workflow to identify immunogens when a new pathogen emerges, generate candidate vaccines, and test their immunogenicity in an animal model.