microRNAs are differentially expressed in equine plasma of horses with osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans versus control horses.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of lameness in horses with no effective disease-modifying treatment and challenging early diagnosis. OA is considered a disease of the joint involving the articular cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial membrane, and ligaments. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a joint disease consisting of focal defects in the osteochondral unit which may progress to OA later in life. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized as small non-coding RNAs that regulate a variety of biological processes and have been detected in biological fluids. MiRNAs are currently investigated for their utility as biomarkers and druggable targets for a variety of diseases. The current study hypothesizes that miRNA profiles can be used to actively monitor joint health and differences in miRNA profiles will be found in healthy vs diseased joints and that differences will be detectable in blood plasma of tested horses. Five horses with OA, OCD, and 4 controls (C) had blood plasma and synovial fluid collected. Total RNA, including miRNA was isolated before generating miRNA libraries from the plasma of the horses. Libraries were sequenced at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute (Toronto). Differential expression analysis was done using DESeq2 and validated using ddPCR. KEGG pathway analysis was done using mirPath v.3 (Diana Tools). 57 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in OA vs C plasma, 45 differentially expressed miRNAs in OC vs C plasma, and 21 differentially expressed miRNAs in OA vs OCD plasma. Notably, miR-140-5p expression was observed to be elevated in OA synovial fluid suggesting that miR-140-5p may serve as a protective marker early on to attenuate OA progression. KEGG pathway analysis of differentially expressed plasma miRNAs showed relationships with glycan degradation, glycosaminoglycan degradation, and hippo signaling pathway. Interestingly, ddPCR was unable to validate the NGS data suggesting that isomiRs may play an integral role in miRNA expression when assessed using NGS technologies.

Corrigendum: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Enhances the In Vitro Metabolic Activity and Differentiation of Equine Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.554306.].

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Enhances the In Vitro Metabolic Activity and Differentiation of Equine Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been shown to induce different biological effects on a variety of cells, including regulation and stimulation of their function and metabolism. ESWT can promote different biological responses such as proliferation, migration, and regenerations of cells. Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) secrete factors that enhance the regeneration of tissues, stimulate proliferation and differentiation of cells, and decrease inflammatory and immune reactions. Clinically, the combination of these two therapies has been used as a treatment for tendon and ligament lesions in horses; however, there is no scientific evidence supporting this combination of therapies in vivo. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to evaluate the effects of ESWT on equine umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stromal cells (CB-MSCs) proliferative, metabolic, migrative, differentiation, and immunomodulatory properties in vitro. Three equine CB-MSC cultures from independent donors were treated using an electrohydraulic shock wave generator attached to a water bath. All experiments were performed as triplicates. Proliferation, viability, migration and immunomodulatory properties of the cells were evaluated. Equine CB-MSCs were induced to evaluate their trilineage differentiation potential. ESWT treated cells had increased metabolic activity, showed positive adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation, and showed higher potential for differentiation toward the adipogenic and osteogenic cell fates. ESWT treated cells showed similar immunomodulatory properties to none-ESWT treated cells. Equine CB-MSCs are responsive to ESWT treatment and showed increased metabolic, adipogenic and osteogenic activity, but unaltered immunosuppressive properties. In vivo studies are warranted to determine if synergistic effects occur in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries if ESWT and equine CB-MSC therapies are combined.

Multicenter retrospective study of complications and risk factors associated with castration in 106 pet pigs.

Castration of pet pigs is becoming a commonly performed procedure. However, little information is available regarding surgical techniques and complications. Medical records of 106 pet pigs admitted to 3 teaching hospitals for castration were reviewed. All descended testicles were approached via pre-scrotal skin incisions, which were either closed (59.4%) or left open (22.6%). The inguinal rings were closed in 42% of cases. Of the 106 pet pigs, 4.7% developed a complication after surgery, which consisted of peri-incisional swelling. Pigs which underwent inguinal ring closure were 6.6 times more likely to develop a post-operative complication (confidence interval: 1.16 to infinity, P = 0.035). Age and weight at time of castration were not significantly associated with complications (P = 0.698 and P = 0.685, respectively). The results from this retrospective study suggest that castration in pet pigs is a safe procedure with a minimal rate of complications.

Étude rétrospective multicentre des complications et facteurs de risque associés avec la castration de 106 porcs miniatures. La castration de porcs miniatures est en voie de devenir une procédure effectuée couramment. Toutefois, peu d'informations sont disponibles concernant les techniques chirurgicales et les complications. Les dossiers médicaux de 106 porcs miniatures admis à trois hôpitaux vétérinaires d'enseignement pour castration ont été revus. Tous les testicules descendus furent approchés via des incisions cutanées préscrotales, qui furent soient fermées (59,4 %) ou laissées ouvertes (22,6 %). Les anneaux inguinaux étaient fermés dans 42 % des cas. Parmi les 106 porcs miniatures, 4,7 % ont développé des complications après la chirurgie, consistant en oedème péri-incisionnel. Les porcs qui ont dû subir une fermeture de l'anneau inguinal étaient 6,6, fois plus à risque de développer des complications post-opératoires (intervalle de confiance : 1,16 à l'infini, P = 0,035). L'âge et le poids au moment de la castration n'étaient pas associés de manière significative avec des complications (P = 0,698 et P = 0,685, respectivement). Les résultats de la présente étude rétrospective suggèrent que la castration de porcs miniatures est une procédure sécuritaire avec un taux minime de complications.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).