Incidence of laminitis and survey of dietary and management practices in pleasure horses and ponies in south-eastern Australia.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to (1) report the incidence of laminitis among a population of horses and ponies attending Pony Clubs in Victoria, Australia, and (2) describe the dietary and management practices of the sample population. METHODS: Researchers visited 10 Pony Clubs over a 10-month period. Horse and pony owners completed a questionnaire to provide information on management relating to diet and exercise. Owners were also asked to report their animal's history of laminitis, if any. RESULTS: From a survey population of 233 horses and ponies, 15.0% of animals (35 individuals) were reported to have suffered from at least one episode of laminitis. Of the animals that had suffered from laminitis, more than half had experienced multiple episodes. The majority of previously laminitic horses and ponies (71.4%) had not experienced an episode of laminitis within the past 12 months; however, 14.2% had experienced an incident within the past month. The proportion of ponies affected by laminitis (31/142; 21.8%) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the proportion of horses affected by laminitis (4/91; 4.4%). The incidence of laminitis within the pony group sampled was 6.5 cases per 100 pony years, while the incidence in horses was 0.55 cases per 100 horse years. CONCLUSION: This study provided information on the incidence of laminitis in the general population of pleasure horses and ponies in south-eastern Australia. It also provided an overview of dietary and management practices. Given the high incidence of animals that had been affected by laminitis (and the associated welfare implications), this study highlights the importance of owner education regarding appropriate feeding and management strategies to reduce the risk of laminitis.

Effect of increased adiposity on insulin sensitivity and adipokine concentrations in horses and ponies fed a high fat diet, with or without a once daily high glycaemic meal.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The relative influences of obesity and adaptation to high glycaemic diets on the development of insulin dysregulation in equids are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether increased adiposity per se is responsible for the decreased insulin sensitivity often observed in obese horses or whether a dietary glycaemic response is critically important. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. METHODS: Eighteen horses and ponies were studied over a 20-week period. They received ad libitum hay plus either a high fat (low glycaemic) diet (FAT; n = 6) or a similar (isocaloric) diet containing 1.5 g/kg bwt once daily glucose (GLU; n = 6) to induce obesity. A third group received a control ration (CON; n = 6). Adiposity was monitored using body condition score (BCS) and total body fat mass percentage (TBFM) determined using a deuterium oxide dilution technique. Insulin sensitivity was assessed using a frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were measured. RESULTS: The FAT and GLU groups became obese (BCS ≥7) whereas the CON group maintained moderate condition (BCS ≤6). Total body fat mass and leptin concentrations were increased in the FAT and GLU groups than in the CON group (P<0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Values for both insulin-dependent (SI) and insulin-independent (Sg) glucose disposal were higher in the GLU group compared with the FAT and CON groups (P = 0.006 and P = 0.03, respectively). There were no differences in adiponectin, TNF-α or SAA between groups (all P≥0.4). CONCLUSIONS: Increased adiposity did not reduce insulin sensitivity in either the FAT or the GLU diet groups, suggesting that obesity per se might not be responsible for the lower SI values reported in previous studies. Contrary to expectations, once daily glucose appeared to increase insulin sensitivity. Further work is required into the dietary causes of insulin resistance in equids.

Prevalence of obesity and owners' perceptions of body condition in pleasure horses and ponies in south-eastern Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of obesity within a population of pleasure horses and ponies in Victoria, Australia, and to compare owners' perceptions of their animals' body condition with researchers' assessments. DESIGN: An observational study plus owner questionnaire. METHODS: Ten Pony Club rallies in different regions of Victoria were attended. Information regarding 229 horses and ponies were obtained from owner questionnaires, and owners' perceptions of the current body condition of their animals were assessed using a visual analogue scale. Body condition score (BCS) was assessed by the researchers using the modified Henneke method. RESULTS: The prevalence of researcher-assessed obesity (BCS ≥7/9) in the total surveyed population was 23.1%. A higher prevalence of obesity was identified in Shetland ponies (71.5%) and other pony types (32.0%) compared with horse breeds (9.3%). Owners perceived their animals to be in significantly lower body condition compared with the researchers' assessments (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although the overall prevalence of obesity within Australian pleasure horses and ponies was 24.5%, a considerably higher proportion of pony breeds fell into this category. Owners frequently underestimated their own animal's body condition. Knowing the prevalence of obesity in this population and understanding how owners perceive the body condition of their animals may help with targeting education around preventative health care, with the aim of reducing the risk of conditions such as insulin dysregulation and laminitis.

Effect of increased adiposity on insulin sensitivity and adipokine concentrations in different equine breeds adapted to cereal-rich or fat-rich meals.

The relationships between diet, obesity and insulin dysregulation in equids require further investigation due to their association with laminitis. This study examined the effect of dietary glycaemic load and increased adiposity on insulin sensitivity and adipokine concentrations in different equine breeds. Equal numbers of Standardbred horses, mixed-breed ponies and Andalusian horses were provided with ad libitum hay plus either cereal-rich (CHO; n = 12), fat-rich (FAT; n = 12) or control (CON; n = 9) meals over 20 weeks. The isocaloric CHO and FAT diets were fed to induce obesity by gradually increasing the supplementary feeds to provide 200% of daily digestible energy requirements by Week 20. The CON group were fed a basal ration only and maintained moderate body condition. At Week 20, the CHO and FAT groups demonstrated significantly increased body condition score, bodyweight, total body fat mass and plasma leptin concentrations compared with the CON group (P <0.001). The CHO group had lower insulin sensitivity (SI; P <0.001) and higher acute insulin response to glucose (P = 0.002) than the CON group. In contrast, the FAT group was no different to the control group. Ponies and Andalusians had lower SI values compared with Standardbreds, regardless of diet group (P = 0.001). Adiponectin concentrations were similar between the FAT and CON groups, but were significantly lower in the CHO group (P = 0.010). The provision of cereal-rich meals appeared to be a more important determinant of insulin sensitivity than the induction of obesity per se. Whether hypoadiponectinaemia is a cause or consequence of insulin dysregulation warrants further investigation.

Conveying campus sexual misconduct policy information to college and university students: Results from a 7-campus study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of different methods (ie, in-class policy reading; in-class policy reading and discussion; no reading or discussion) to deliver campus sexual misconduct policy information to students on 7 campuses. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,195 participants at 7 colleges and universities participated in the study from August to October 2014. Participants were randomly assigned at the class level and completed pretest and posttest surveys assessing knowledge of campus policy and resources and confidence to seek help for sexual assault. RESULTS: Students exposed to a larger dosage of material (in-class policy reading plus discussion) showed greater positive changes in attitudes and knowledge than students who did not receive information or were only read the policy. However, on some indices, students who were only read the policy showed positive outcomes compared with students receiving no intervention. CONCLUSION: Colleges and universities must use engaging methods to disseminate campus sexual misconduct policies to students.

A longitudinal analysis of the distinction between for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals in America.

Have changes in the hospital industry forced not-for-profit hospitals to become more like for-profit hospitals in measures of efficiency and community service? As a result, are not-for-profit hospitals moving away from their community service missions? In recent years researchers have asserted that the once-salient distinctions between not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals are quickly eroding and that this convergence threatens the community service that not-for-profit hospitals have historically provided. Neo-institutionalists explain that regulatory changes often force differing organization types to pursue similar strategies (Fligstein 1991, 1985; DiMaggio and Powell 1983). Guided by this theory, the present research analyzes if regulatory changes and the implementation of similar strategies result in not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals having similar efficiency and community service outcomes.

The Omagh bombing--a medical perspective.

The bomb in Omagh on the 15th August 1998 was responsible for the largest loss of life of any single terrorist incident in the whole of the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland. However, the medical response to this tragedy provided an excellent opportunity for the civilian and military agencies to work together. As a consequence of this a number of lessons were drawn which are presented in the paper. Whatever the outcome of the peace process these lessons will have an important role in the future, since history would suggest that there is little possibility of the terrorist threat ever completely.

Special care units for Alzheimer's patients: their role in the nursing home market.

The Special Care Unit (SCU) is a new, rapidly proliferating mode of caring for people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Approximately 10% of nursing homes within the U.S. have SCUs with the number expected to grow substantially in coming years. SCUs are largely unregulated and not uncontroversial. This article discusses their emergence over time, their origins, growth, and the call for standardization. Subsequent sections review the range of potential benefits and costs associated with SCUs, optimally defined as well as research evidence available on this mode of care. Recent cost-setting and reform pressures in the nursing home industry are discussed in the final sections along with the likely future of AD SCUs in this environment.

Breed differences in insulin sensitivity and insulinemic responses to oral glucose in horses and ponies of moderate body condition score.

Breed-related differences may occur in the innate insulin sensitivity (SI) of horses and ponies, an important factor believed to be associated with the risk of laminitis. The aim of this study was to measure the glucose and insulin responses of different breeds of horses and ponies in moderate body condition to a glucose-containing meal and to compare these responses with the indices of SI as determined by a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT). Eight Standardbred horses, 8 mixed-breed ponies, and 7 Andalusian-cross horses with a mean ± SEM BCS 5.0 ± 0.3 of 9 were used in this study. Each animal underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in which they were fed a fiber-based ration (2.0 g/kg BW) containing 1.5 g/kg BW added glucose, as well as a standard FSIGT with minimal model analysis. The glucose response variables from the OGTT were similar between groups; however, the peak insulin concentration was higher in ponies (94.1 ± 29.1 µIU/mL; P = 0.003) and Andalusians (85.3 ± 18.6; P = 0.004) than in Standardbreds (21.2 ± 3.5). The insulin area under the curve was also higher in ponies (13.5 ± 3.6 IU · min · L(-1); P = 0.009) and Andalusians (15.0 ± 2.7; P = 0.004) than in Standardbreds (3.1 ± 0.6). Insulin sensitivity, as determined by the FSIGT, was lower in Andalusians (0.99 ± 0.18 × 10(-4)/[mIU · min]) than in Standardbreds (5.43 ± 0.94; P < 0.001) and in ponies (2.12 ± 0.44; P = 0.003) than in Standardbreds. Peak insulin concentrations from the OGTT were negatively correlated with SI (P < 0.001; rs = -0.75). These results indicate that there are clear breed-related differences in the insulin responses of horses and ponies to oral and intravenous glucose. All animals were in moderate body condition, indicating that breed-related differences in insulin dynamics occurred independent of obesity.

Access to and participation in breast cancer screening: a review of recent literature.

Recently, attention has been focused on the incentives for access to and participation in breast cancer screening programs. The Healthy People 2000 health goals for the nation calls for 60% of women aged 50 years and older to have had mammograms and clinical breast exams within the preceding 2 years. To achieve this objective, the incentives for access to and participation in breast cancer screening programs must be identified. The present review examines incentive-based hypotheses dealing with lower socioeconomic status, lack of insurance coverage, physician referral, and self-referral. Policy-oriented solutions that have attempted to correct the disincentives associated with low access and participation were analyzed. The sophistication of screening technology is of primary importance; however, this review provides additional information that can be used to ensure the implementation of quality mammography screening programs.

Novel fibroblast growth factor 2 transcripts are expressed in mouse embryos.

We have discovered two new exons in the mouse fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2 or bFGF) gene that can be alternatively spliced to the second coding exon of the gene. The newly identified exons 1b and 1c are located at, respectively, approximately 19 and 32 kb downstream of the canonical exon 1a. Using RT-PCR analysis, mRNAs containing exon 1c and canonical exons 2 and 3 were identified in embryonic limb, placenta, face, carcass and ocular tissues. A 3.7-kb transcript present in placenta and embryonic limb hybridizes with an exon 1c-derived probe in Northern blot analysis. Alternative splicing of exon 1c to exon 2 creates a transcript for which the predicted alternative FGF-2 (altFGF-2) polypeptide contains a novel N-terminal domain. Our data indicate that in mouse embryos multiple novel mRNA variants are transcribed from the FGF-2 locus using alternative splicing. These data suggest that proteins arising from these alternative transcripts may play a role in mouse embryogenesis.

Hartnup disorder: polymorphisms identified in the neutral amino acid transporter SLC1A5.

Hartnup disorder is an inborn error of renal and gastrointestinal neutral amino acid transport. The cloning and functional characterization of the 'system B0' neutral amino acid transporter SLC1A5 led to it being proposed as a candidate gene for Hartnup disorder. Linkage analysis performed at 19q13.3, the chromosomal position of SLC1A5, was suggestive of an association with the Hartnup phenotype in some families. However, SLC1A5 was not linked to the Hartnup phenotype in other families. Linkage analysis also excluded an alternative candidate region at 11q13 implicated by a putative mouse model for Hartnup disorder. Sequencing of the coding region of SLC1A5 in Hartnup patients revealed two coding region polymorphisms. These mutations did not alter the predicted amino acid sequence of SLC1A5 and were considered unlikely to play a role in Hartnup disorder. There were no mutations in splice sites flanking each exon. Quantitative RT-PCR of SLC1A5 messenger RNA in affected and unaffected subjects did not support systemic differences in expression as an explanation for Hartnup disorder. In the six unrelated Hartnup pedigrees studied, examination of linkage at 19q13.3, polymorphisms in the coding sequence and quantitation of expression of SLC1A5 did not suffice to explain the defect in neutral amino acid transport.

Molecular cloning of AIDS-associated retrovirus.

Retroviruses cause a wide variety of diseases in avian and mammalian species. Human acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) leads to collapse of the immune system and death by a wide variety of opportunistic infections; unusual forms of cancer are associated with this syndrome. Retroviruses have been recovered from tissues of AIDS patients and from patients with related conditions. These similar newly-isolated viruses are lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-III) and AIDS-associated retrovirus (ARV-2). We have identified a RNA genome of approximately 9 kilobases (kb) in virions purified from the culture medium of a human T-cell tumour line infected with ARV-2. A cDNA probe made from viral RNA detected circular DNA molecules and proviral forms in infected cells. We prepared a library of infected cell DNA. Recombinant phage included those with a 9.5-kb proviral DNA and viral DNA permuted with respect to the single EcoRI site. Comparison of three ARV isolates from different AIDS patients revealed polymorphism of restriction endonuclease sites.

Primary structure and gene organization of human hepatitis A virus.

The RNA genome of human hepatitis A virus (HAV) was molecularly cloned. Recombinant DNA clones representing the entire HAV RNA were used to determine the primary structure of the viral genome. The length of the viral genome is 7478 nucleotides. An open reading frame starting at nucleotide 734 and terminating at nucleotide 7415 encodes a polyprotein of Mr 251,940. Comparison of the HAV nucleotide sequence with that of other picornaviruses has failed to reveal detectable areas of homology. However, a computer analysis of the putative amino acid sequence of HAV and poliovirus demonstrated the existence of short areas of homology in virion protein 3 (VP3) and throughout the carboxyl-terminal portion of the polyproteins. In addition, extensive protein structural homologies with poliovirus were detected.

Association of the expression of an SR-cyclophilin with myeloid cell differentiation.

The role of a 150-kD SR-cyclophilin (NK-TR1) in monocyte differentiation was investigated. Using an antipeptide monoclonal antibody, we have detected NK-TR1 in human peripheral blood monocytes and HL-60 cells. Unstimulated monocytes showed a low intracellular level of NK-TR1 protein that increased over 3 days of lipopolysaccharide + interferon-gamma treatment, consistent with the kinetics of monocyte differentiation. Normal HL-60 cells also had a low level of NK-TR1 protein, and exposure to 1.25% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) resulted in a marked transient increase in expression that returned to basal levels before the development of granulocyte differentiation-associated biochemical changes. Phorbol myristate acetate, a promoter of monocytic differentiation in HL-60 cells, also caused a significant increase in NK-TR1 over basal levels. Transfection of a vector expressing NK-TR1 antisense RNA into HL-60 cells suppressed DMSO-mediated growth arrest. In addition, the development of a more mature phenotype, as measured by expression of CD16, and the ability to reduce nitroblue tetrazoleum dye was inhibited in transfectants when compared with controls. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the NK-TR1 gene product is required for the progression towards a mature differentiated phenotype.