Using the Digital Platform ExamSoft in Veterinary Anatomy and Parasitology Assessments in Written and Laboratory Components.

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), with a class size of 162, is one of the largest in the nation. In an effort to streamline examination procedures, create a consistent assessment format among courses, replace paper exams, track test questions linked to learning objectives, and reduce exam grading time, our DVM program adopted the use of ExamSoft for core courses beginning in the autumn semester 2014. ExamSoft is an electronic assessment application, which provides a secure testing environment and robust reporting features. CVM uses it for high stakes midterm and finals. Although easily adopted into a didactic course format, its application in laboratory-based examinations proved challenging. Designing, setting up and grading exams for Anatomy and Parasitology courses with a laboratory component have always required substantial time investment, and adding a testing application to the process demanded rethinking and restructuring logistics. After two semesters of process refinement and standardization of a testing device to the iPad, faculty teaching in the Anatomy and Parasitology courses were able to implement ExamSoft in a laboratory setting to realize the same assessment and efficiency gains. Here we describe the benefits of ExamSoft testing in the written and laboratory settings and the lessons learned during the 2-year transition.

Serum vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations in ponies, horses and foals from the United States and Thailand.

Vitamin D is essential in calcium and phosphorus regulation, bone physiology, cell proliferation and epithelial integrity. Literature on vitamin D in growing horses is sparse, and the effect of age on vitamin D has not been evaluated in equids in the United States or in tropical countries. The goal of this study was to determine if there was an effect of age on serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations in equids in the US (Ohio/Kentucky) and Thailand (Chiang Rai and Kanchanaburi) during the same time of the year. Blood samples were collected from healthy ponies (n=21) and Thoroughbred foals (n=13), yearlings (n=10), and horses (n=20) in Thailand and from Thoroughbred foals (n=10) and horses (n=17) in the US. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3, calcium and phosphorus were measured. In both countries, serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were lower in foals than in yearlings and adult horses. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were higher in horses than in ponies in Thailand, but were not different between horses from either country. Calcium concentrations were not different between groups or location. In both countries, phosphorus concentrations were higher in foals than in older groups; however, were not different between ponies and horses. This study shows that independent of geography there are age-related differences in 25(OH)D3 concentrations in horses and further confirms that 25(OH)D3 concentrations are lower in horses compared to other species. The information will serve as the basis for future clinical studies and to help understand better the pathophysiology of equine disorders associated with calcium and phosphorus dysregulation.

Effects of gemcitabine and gemcitabine in combination with carboplatin on five canine transitional cell carcinoma cell lines.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in vitro effects of gemcitabine alone and in combination with carboplatin on canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell lines. SAMPLE: In vitro cultures of 5 canine TCC cell lines. PROCEDURES: Cells were treated with gemcitabine, carboplatin, or a combination of both at various concentrations. Cell proliferation was assessed via a fluorescence-based microplate cell proliferation assay. Cell cycle was evaluated via propidium iodide staining, and apoptosis was assessed by measurement of caspase 3 and 7 enzymatic activity. Synergy between gemcitabine and carboplatin was quantified via combination index analyses. RESULTS: Treatment of 5 canine TCC cell lines with gemcitabine or carboplatin decreased cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and induced cell cycle arrest. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were markedly increased when cell lines were treated with both gemcitabine and carboplatin simultaneously or sequentially. Order of administration during sequential treatment did not consistently affect cell proliferation results in TCC cell lines. When TCC cell lines were treated with gemcitabine and carboplatin in combination at therapeutically relevant concentrations (gemcitabine concentration, < 10µM; carboplatin concentration, < 250µM), a significant decrease in cell proliferation was observed, compared with cell proliferation following treatment with gemcitabine or carboplatin alone. In combination, the effects of gemcitabine and carboplatin were synergistic in 3 of 5 cell lines and additive in the other 2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gemcitabine had antitumor effects on canine TCC cells in vitro, and the combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin had synergistic activity at biologically achievable concentrations.

Effects of calcitriol, seocalcitol, and medium-chain triglyceride on a canine transitional cell carcinoma cell line.

BACKGROUND: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in dogs is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Calcitriol and its analog seocalcitol, combined with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), have potential for the treatment of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TCC cells were treated with calcitriol or seocalcitol, alone or combined with MCT. Cell growth, cell cycle kinetics, vitamin D receptor (VDR) localization and expression, and Bcl-2 expression were measured. RESULTS: Canine TCC expresses high levels of nuclear VDR. Furthermore, calcitriol and seocalcitol significantly inhibited cell growth and calcitriol caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Bcl-2 expression was slightly decreased in cells treated with these compounds, although no significant changes in VDR expression were observed. MCT enhanced the growth inhibitory effect of both compounds. CONCLUSION: Calcitriol and seocalcitol inhibited TCC cell growth via induction of cell cycle arrest and MCT enhanced this effect. Therefore, calcitriol and seocalcitol with MCT may have therapeutic potential for canine bladder cancer.

Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] and its analogues (EB1089 and analog V) on canine adenocarcinoma (CAC-8) in nude mice.

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 and its analogues on tumor growth and body weight, changes in plasma ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) production, bone resorption, and the distribution of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor (VDR) on tumors in nude mice-bearing the canine adenocarcinoma (CAC-8). Thirty-seven nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with CAC-8. Two weeks after implantation, the mice were divided into 5 groups and injected intraperitoneally 3 times/week for 4 weeks with 5 different substrates. Group I (nontumor-bearing mice) were injected with vehicle. Groups II through V were CAC-8-bearing mice injected with the following: Grp. II, vehicle; Grp. III, analog V; Grp. IV, 1,25(OH)2D3; and Grp. V, EB1089. Our results showed that mice body weight (% change) of CAC-8-bearing mice was significantly lower than those of nontumor-bearing mice (p<0.05). CAC-8-bearing mice treated with analog V maintained their body weight better than CAC-8-bearing mice treated with either vehicle, 1,25(OH)2D3, or EB1089. A reduction of tumor growth was observed in CAC-8-bearing mice treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 and its analogues; however, the reduction was not statistically significant compared to the vehicle-treated CAC-8-bearing mice. All CAC-8-bearing mice increased osteoclastic bone resorption and hypercalcemia. Immunohistochemical staining of CAC-8 with VDR antibody demonstrated a positive reaction in nuclei of tumor cells. In conclusion, CAC-8-bearing mice treated with analog V were more active and maintained their body weight better than other CAC-8-bearing groups. Analog V-treated mice also showed no toxic side effects of hypercalcemia despite an increase in plasmaionized calcium comparable to nontumor-bearing mice. Tumor volumes of CAC-8-bearing mice treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 and its analogues were smaller than vehicle-treated CAC-8-bearing mice. This finding suggested an inhibitory effect on tumor cell growth.