Strongyle faecal egg counts in Swiss horses: A retrospective analysis after the introduction of a selective treatment strategy.

The standard parasite management of horses based on regular anthelmintic treatments, now practiced for decades has resulted in a worrying expansion of resistant helminth populations, which may considerably impair control on the farm level. The aim of the present study was to obtain a retrospective (year 2010 - 2016) nationwide analysis of faecal egg count (FEC) data from the Swiss adult horse population, related to horse age and geographic region. Thirteen labs provided a total of 16,387 FEC data of horses aged four to 39 years (average: 13.6 years). The annual number of performed FEC tests increased from 38 to 4,939 within the observation period. Independent of the annual sample size the yearly patterns of the FEC were very similar. Seventy-eight percent (n = 12,840) of the samples were negative and 90 % (n = 14,720) showed a FEC below 200 strongyle eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces. The annual mean strongyle FEC ranged between 60 and 88 EPG with a total mean of 75 EPG. Horses aged 4-7 years showed a significantly (p < 0.00001) higher mean FEC compared with the other age groups, differences were not significant among the older horses. Based on ZIP codes, samples were allocated by 70.0 %, 6.0 % and 0.2 % to the German-, French- and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland, respectively. With 222 EPG the mean FEC in the French part of Switzerland was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the German-speaking region (60 EPG). Eggs of Parascaris spp., anoplocephalids and Strongyloides westeri were found in 0.36 %, 0.32 % and 0.01 % of the samples, respectively. Based on 3,813 questionnaire feedbacks from owners in 2017 covering a total of 12,689 horses, sixty-eight percent (n = 8,476) were dewormed without diagnosis, two percent (n = 240) were not dewormed at all, whereas for 30 % (n = 3,721) the selective anthelmintic treatment (SAT) concept was applied. The SAT implementation rate differed significantly (p < 0.0005) between regions, with 33 %, 20 % and 25 % for the German-, French- and Italian-speaking areas, respectively. The rate of horses spending 16-24 h on pasture per day was significantly higher in the French-speaking region compared to the German-speaking part of Switzerland (p < 0.0001). In addition, pasture hygiene was practiced at a significantly lower rate in the French-speaking part compared to the German- and Italian-speaking regions (both p < 0.0001). Overall, the shift towards the SAT-concept represents a very promising development with respect to mitigating the further spread of anthelmintic resistance.

Modeling the distributed gain of single--(1050 or 1410 nm) and dual-wavelength--(800 + 1050 nm or 800 + 1410 nm) pumped thulium-doped fiber amplifiers.

The distributed gain of single- and dual-wavelength-pumped thulium-doped fiber amplifiers is modeled. The excellent agreement between the model and coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry measurements enables us to estimate intrinsic loss, branching ratios of fluorescence originating from the 3H4 level, and cross sections of upconversion pumping at 1050 and 1410 nm for the Tm3+ ions in the fiber. With the branching ratios obtained it is possible to describe induced signal absorption when pumping at 800 nm.

Measurement of tidal breathing flow-volume loop indices in horses used for different sporting purposes with and without recurrent airway obstruction.

Tidal breathing flow-volume loop (TBFVL) indices in healthy horses and in horses suffering from mild and moderate to severe recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) were measured. In addition, the ability of these indices to differentiate healthy controls from horses with mild RAO by separating the horses according to their usage was investigated. The horses were assigned to three sporting categories: 1 Leisure horses; 2 Horses competing at events with a duration of more than five minutes (eventing, coaching and endurance); and 3 Horses competing at events with a duration of less than five minutes (dressage and show jumping). Flow-volume curves were recorded with an ultrasonic spirometer and TBFVL indices were calculated with specially dedicated software. The sporting usage of the horses had a significant effect on the differentiating ability of TBFVL indices in diagnosing different degrees of RAO. The index TIF50 differentiated control horses from horses with minor RAO in all sporting categories.

Differences in pulmonary functional indices derived from the single-breath diagram for CO2 (SBD-CO2) in horses related to age, sex and usage.

Although pulmonary function tests have been used to evaluate horses with clinically normal lungs and those with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), comprehensive studies of equine respiratory function, considering factors such as sex, age and usage are not available. Studies on the influence of these factors on pulmonary function in healthy horses are required for interpretation of measurements made in those with respiratory disease. The study was performed with 63 warmblood horses and the status of their pulmonary health was evaluated by clinical examination. The functional aspect of pulmonary health was assessed by indices derived from the single-breath diagram for CO2 (SBD-CO2). Differences in pulmonary functional indices between the sexes, age groups and usage groups adjusted for pulmonary health were analysed with hierarchical linear models. It was shown that the effects on pulmonary function of age, sex and usage of a horse were significant and have to be considered when establishing the true pulmonary functional status of a horse suffering from RAO. The multivariate statistical model used included the covariates age, sex and sporting discipline of the horses and accounted for the complex, non-linear interactions between the different covariates.

Relationship between clinical signs and pulmonary function estimated by the single breath diagram for CO(2) (SBD-CO(2)) in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The pulmonary health of 66 horses was assessed by a clinical examination and simple supplementary diagnostic methods. Single breath diagrams for CO(2) (SBD-CO(2)) and derived lung function indices were used to determine pulmonary function. The clinical signs in different groups were related to the results of the lung function indices derived from the SBD-CO(2). In horses with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a significant relationship was found between the respiratory frequency and the ratio of Bohr's dead space to the tidal volume (VD(Bohr)/VT), and between the physiological dead space/tidal volume ratio (VD(phys)/VT) and the ratio of the alveolar dead space to the alveolar tidal volume (VD(alv)/VT(alv)), but no significant associations were found between the arterial oxygen tension (P(a)O(2)) and lung function indices derived from the SBD-CO(2). The occurrence of cough, the viscosity of tracheobronchial mucus and the amount of polynuclear neutrophils in tracheobronchial aspirates were significantly related to the expiratory tidal volume (VT), the total expired volume of CO(2) (VCO(2)), VD(Bohr)/VT, VD(phys)/VT and VD(alv)/VT(alv). We conclude that abnormal findings in these clinical parameters indicate a measurable ventilation and perfusion (V(A)/Q) mismatch which is reflected by increases in dead space, VD(Bohr)/VT and VD(phys)/VT as well as VD(alv)/VT(alv).

Validity of pulmonary function indices derived from the volumetric capnogram in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO).

The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy with which pulmonary function indices derived from the volumetric capnogram can diagnose different degrees of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in 63 warmblood horses. The sensitivity, specificity, the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), optimal cut-off values and predictive values of the indices were calculated. The results obtained have shown that there is no single index characterised by specificity and sensitivity to differentiate with an accuracy of >90 per cent between the different degrees of RAO compared to the clinical examination. The indices A(1)/A(2) and VD(alv)/ VT(alv) (AUC=0.55 and 0.53) appeared to have the highest relative sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between healthy horses and horses suffering from subclinical or minor RAO and the indices VD(phys)/ VT and VD(Bohr)/ VT between horses suffering from subclinical or minor RAO and horses with moderate to severe RAO (AUC=0.71 and 0.70). We do not consider it acceptable to use cut off values optimised for both maximal sensitivity and specificity, because a great number of horses would have been inappropriately classified.

Ligand-field analysis of an Er(III) complex with a heptadentate tripodal N4O3 ligand.

Polarized absorption and emission spectra of trigonal single crystals of an Er(III) complex coordinated to a heptadentate tripodal ligand are reported at temperatures between 8 and 298 K. The assigned energy levels below the onset of ligand absorption (< 25 000 cm(-1)) are fitted to a parametrized electronic Hamiltonian. The C(3) site symmetry of the Er(III) ion requires eight parameters for a full description of the ligand field within a one-electron operator description. This compound shows unusually large splittings of the multiplets, and the fitted parameters imply that this heptadentate ligand imparts the largest ligand field reported for an Er(III) complex. The ligand field was also interpreted within the angular overlap model (AOM). We derive the AOM matrix to include both sigma and anisotropic pi bonding and show that a useful description of the C(3) ligand field can be made using only five parameters. The success of the AOM description is encouraging for applications on isomorphous complexes within the lanthanide series and in describing the ligand field of low-symmetry complexes with less parameters than in the usual spherical harmonic expansion.

Direct interaction of the Rab3 effector RIM with Ca2+ channels, SNAP-25, and synaptotagmin.

To define the role of the Rab3-interacting molecule RIM in exocytosis we searched for additional binding partners of the protein. We found that the two C(2) domains of RIM display properties analogous to those of the C(2)B domain of synaptotagmin-I. Thus, RIM-C(2)A and RIM-C(2)B bind in a Ca(2+)-independent manner to alpha1B, the pore-forming subunit of N-type Ca(2+) channels (EC(50) = approximately 20 nm). They also weakly interact with the alpha1C but not the alpha1D subunit of L-type Ca(2+) channels. In addition, the C(2) domains of RIM associate with SNAP-25 and synaptotagmin-I. The binding affinities for these two proteins are 203 and 24 nm, respectively, for RIM-C(2)A and 224 and 16 nm for RIM-C(2)B. The interactions of the C(2) domains of RIM with SNAP-25 and synaptotagmin-I are modulated by Ca(2+). Thus, in the presence of Ca(2+) (EC(50) = approximately 75 microm) the interaction with synaptotagmin-I is increased, whereas SNAP-25 binding is reduced. Synaptotagmin-I binding is abolished by mutations in two positively charged amino acids in the C(2) domains of RIM and by the addition of inositol polyphosphates. We propose that the Rab3 effector RIM is a scaffold protein that participates through its multiple binding partners in the docking and fusion of secretory vesicles at the release sites.

Ni(II)-doped CsCdBrCl2: variation of spectral and structural properties via mixed-halide coordination.

The mixed-halide compound CsCdBrCl2 is studied by X-ray diffraction and by using the Ni(II) ion as an optical probe. Low-temperature absorption, luminescence, and EXFAS spectra of the Ni(II) impurity are recorded. The structure of CsCdBrCl2 is shown to consist of corner-sharing [Cd3X12]6- trimers. Each trimer has a structure of three face-sharing octahedra Cl3CdX3CdX3CdCl3 where X has an equal probability of being a Br- or a Cl- ion. This equal occupancy on the bridging halide positions occurs over the whole crystal rather than within each [Cd3X12]6- trimer unit. Optical spectroscopy shows that the Ni(II) ion exists in all possible [NiBrxCl6 - x]4- isomeric forms (x = 0, 1, ..., 6). The energy of the 3A2g-->1A1g transition is a linear function of x, due to the change in inter-electron repulsion through the differing covalencies of the ligand compositions. The energy of this transition can be varied over 2750 cm-1. The inhomogeneous broadening that results from the halide disorder is discussed from the point of view of the variation of ligand-field strength and inter-electron repulsion. A model including a differential nephelauxetic effect is required to explain the energies of the ligand-field states.

Disruption of Rab3-calmodulin interaction, but not other effector interactions, prevents Rab3 inhibition of exocytosis.

Rab GTPases regulate membrane traffic between the cellular compartments of eukaryotic cells. Rab3 is associated with secretory vesicles of neuronal and endocrine cells and controls the Ca(2+)-triggered release of neurotransmitters and hormones. To clarify the mode of action of Rab3 we generated mutants of the GTPase that do not interact efficiently with its putative effectors Rabphilin and RIM. Surprisingly, these mutants transfected in PC12 cells were still capable of inhibiting Ca(2+)-evoked secretion. Rab3 was shown previously to bind to calmodulin in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. By replacing two arginines conserved between Rab3 isoforms, we generated a mutant with a reduced affinity for calmodulin. This mutant retained the capacity to interact with the Rab3 regulatory proteins, Rabphilin, RIM, Mss4 and RabGDI, and was correctly targeted to dense-core secretory granules. However, replacement of the two arginines abolished the ability of the GTP-bound form of Rab3 to inhibit exocytosis of catecholamine- and insulin-secreting cells. We propose that a Rab3-calmodulin complex generated by elevated Ca(2+) concentrations mediated at least some of the effects of the GTPase and limited the number of exocytotic events that occurred in response to secretory stimuli.