Feed intake patterns of sport ponies and warmblood horses following iso-energetic intake of pelleted fibre-rich mixed feed, muesli feed and semicrushed oat grains.

The aim of the study was to compare diverse feed intake patterns in sport ponies and warmblood-type horses after feeding iso-energetic amounts of three different concentrates: a pelleted fibre-rich mixed feed (PF), a muesli feed (MF) and semicrushed oat grains (OG). Four sport ponies and six warmblood-type horses received the concentrates and meadow hay according to maintenance (0.52 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) kg body weight (BW)0.75 /day). Both breeds were allocated at random to three groups and received once daily for 8 days either OG (1 g starch/kg BW/meal) or iso-energetic quantities of PF and MF according to a crossover design. On the 8th day, feed intake patterns (chewing frequency (CF) in number of chewings (NC), NC/s), feed intake time (FITDM , min/kg dry matter (DM); FIT(neutral detergent fibre)NDF , min/kg NDF) and chewing intensity (CI, NC/kg DM) were measured using modified halters. In warmbloods, PF tended to be ingested faster than MF and OG (10.3 ± 1.9, 13.0 ± 1.3, 14.4 ± 2.0 min/kg DM, respectively; p = 0.05). In ponies, a similar trend was observed (13.5 ± 2.5, 13.6 ± 2.0 and 15.4 ± 1.1 min/kg DM, respectively; p > 0.05). Ponies needed more time to ingest PF than warmbloods (p < 0.05). The CF of ponies was affected by the type of concentrate (PF and MF 1.43 ± 0.11 vs. OG 1.28 ± 0.093 NC/s; p < 0.05). The results indicate that concentrate intake of breeds follows a similar pattern and that breed differences were limited to PF only. In both breeds, PF induced chewing patterns different from those observed for OG and/or MF. However, an interpretation of these differences needs to take into consideration the diverse chemical compositions of the concentrates. Upcoming studies should address the throwback regarding PF and also examine the metabolic consequences of concentrate intake in ponies.

Glycaemic and insulinaemic responses of adult healthy warm-blooded mares following feeding with Jerusalem artichoke meal.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the supplementation of a pre-biotic compound [Jerusalem artichoke meal (JAM)] on the glycaemic and insulinaemic response in healthy, non-obese warm-blooded horses. Six adult mares [mean body weight (bwt) 529 ± 38.7 kg; body condition score 5.1 ± 0.49/9] were used. In two equal meals per day, the horses received crushed oat grains (1 g starch/kg bwt per day) and meadow hay (2 kg/100 kg bwt per day) which together were likely to meet the energy recommendation for light work (GfE, ). Additionally, they received either 0.15 g fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin (FOS+INU)/kg bwt per day via commercial JAM or maize cob meal without grains as control (CON) in 2 × 3-week periods according to a crossover design. Blood was collected on d21 of the feeding period at different ante- and postprandial (PP) time points (-60, 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min), and the plasma glucose and serum insulin levels were determined. Feeding JAM vs. CON did not change the PP peak of glucose or insulin (glucose: 6.3 ± 0.40 vs. 7.0 ± 0.87 mmol/l; insulin: 0.508 ± 0.087 vs. 0.476 ± 0.082 nmol/l) nor did it cause different AUCs until 120 and 300 min PP for glucose and insulin, respectively (AUC120 , glucose: 997 ± 41.6 vs. 1015 ± 41.63 mmol/l per minute, insulin: 49 ± 6.3 vs. 42 ± 6.3 nmol/l per minute; AUC300 , glucose: 1943 ± 142.3 vs. 2115 ± 142.3 mmol/l per minute, insulin: 94 ± 14.8 vs. 106 ± 14.8 nmol/l per minute; p > 0.05). Following JAM vs. CON feeding, glucose and insulin levels declined more rapidly until 240 min PP and tended to be lower (p = 0.053 and p = 0.056, respectively) at this time point. This result might be promising and should further be studied more detailed.

Effects of isoenergetic quantities of a low-starch muesli feed high in fat and fibre vs. oat grains on the glycemic and insulinemic responses and feed intake patterns in sport ponies.

Aim of this study was to compare glycemic and insulinemic responses and feed intake patterns in sport ponies after feeding isoenergetic quantities of low-starch muesli feed high in fat and fibre (FF) or oat grains (OG). Six sport ponies were randomly assigned to one of these two treatment groups for 2 × 3 weeks according to a crossover-design. Ponies received two equal meals/day of either semi-crushed OG (1 g starch/kg bwt*meal-1 ) or an isoenergetic quantity of FF. Hay was also given in two equal meals/day and provided the remaining metabolisable energy up to 1.3-fold maintenance level. On day 21, blood was sampled 1 h after each pony received 0.5 kg hay (0 min). Then, the concentrate was provided and blood sampled 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min thereafter. Plasma glucose and serum insulin were analysed, and the areas under the curve (AUC) was calculated 120 and 300 min postprandial (PP). Feed intake patterns were measured in 4 ponies/group via a modified halter. OG was ingested faster than FF (feed intake time; FITDM in min/kg DM: 8.8 ± 1.6 vs. 15.9 ± 1.62, p < 0.05) combined with a higher chewing frequency (p < 0.05). The AUCsgluc120/300, ins120/300 were statistically higher with OG than FF (mmol/L*min-1 : AUCgluc120 : 776 ± 128 vs. 676 ± 80.4; AUCgluc300 : 1811 ± 295.3 vs. 1569 ± 126.3; nmol/L*min-1 : AUCins120 : 38 ± 18 vs. 22 ± 8.1; AUCins300 : 83 ± 39 vs. 35 ± 12; p < 0.05). Plasma glucose tended to decline following the intake of FF, which might be beneficial for equines with reduced glucose tolerance. This, however, requires further investigation. In this study, the ponies consumed OG unexpectedly rapidly. The rate of feed intake was similar to the results previously reported in the literature for warmblood horses.

Electromyographic evaluation of masseter muscle activity in horses fed (i) different types of roughage and (ii) maize after different hay allocations.

The aims of this study were to monitor electromyographic (EMG) activity of masseter muscle in healthy horses fed (i) different types of roughage and (ii) maize after different hay allocations. Four horses were offered the following three diets ad libitum: hay, haylage or straw/alfalfa chaff (SAC). In a second trial, four horses were fed cracked maize (CM) and hay in three different orders: (i) CM after a 12-h overnight fast; (ii) CM immediately after restricted hay intake (0.6 kg hay/100 kg BW); or 3) CM after hay intake ad libitum. The activity of the masseter muscle was determined by EMG (IED(®) ), and the following were measured: amplitude (muscle action potential = MAP, maximum voltage) and duration of MAP (s). The intake of hay or haylage was associated with intense masseter muscle activity (MAP: hay, 10 ± 1.7 V; haylage, 11 ± 3.3 V; and duration of MAP: hay, 0.31 ± 0.04 s; haylage, 0.30 ± 0.04 s). Similar intense chewing was measured for SAC (MAP 13 ± 3.8 V), although duration of the chewing cycle was relatively short (0.22 ± 0.03 s, diet p < 0.05), which is possibly related to the shorter fibre length. CM was consumed rapidly, with less intense masseter muscle activity (MAP 6.0 ± 1.5 V). Hay intake before CM did not affect chewing force of CM, but duration of chewing cycle was significantly prolonged by feeding hay ad libitum before CM was fed. The consumption of hay, haylage or SAC was associated with intensive masseter muscle activity that was likely to stimulate salivary flow rate. In contrast to roughage, concentrates like CM are consumed rapidly with less intensive masseter muscle activity. This situation is associated with a low salivary flow that may have an adverse effect on gastric function.

Effect of Hay Soaking Duration on Metabolizable Energy, Total and Prececal Digestible Crude Protein and Amino Acids, Non-Starch Carbohydrates, Macronutrients and Trace Elements.

Soaking hay before feeding has been documented to reduce airborn respirable particles and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content which may have positive benefits for horses suffering from Equine Asthma (EA) or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Prolonged soaking also leaches minerals, but to-date no measurement of the loss of small intestine digestible crude protein has been documented. One aim of this study was to investigate various soaking durations on nutrient contents of hay, WSC, macronutrients, and trace elements levels. Another objective was to determine the prececal digestible crude protein (pcd CP) and amino acid (pcd AA) fraction contents and prececal digestibility (pcD). Four different batches of meadow hay were soaked in water (20° C during preparation) for 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 12 hours and drained for 20 minutes. A 15 minutes soaking duration significantly reduced the levels of nearly all investigated nutrients (e.g. for fructans, and WSC, macronutrients and trace elements). However, the crude fiber, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin content increased. Metabolizable energy (ME) contents decreased by 5-15 %, pcd CP and pcd AA fell by 35 %, and the pcD declined by up to 49 %. In contrast, the pcD was 56 % before soaking. Longer soaking durations did not enhance the wash-out effect. Horse owners should be aware that soaking hay, regardless of reason, may negatively alter the nutritional value. The wide range of wash-out effects may pose risks in calculating the correct dry matter portion to prevent weight loss and maintain ME, pcd CP and pcd AA requirements, especially for horses with EMS and EA.

Modification of the equine gastrointestinal microbiota by Jerusalem artichoke meal supplementation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of natural prebiotic active compounds on the microbial composition in different regions of the equine gastrointestinal tract. Twelve adult horses (body weight [bwt] 534 ± 64.5 kg; age 14 ± 7.5 years) were randomly divided into two feeding groups. Six horses received a basal diet consisting of 1.5 kg hay/100 kg bwt x d-1 and oat grains equal to 1.19 g starch/kg bwt x d-1, supplemented with Jerusalem artichoke meal providing prebiotic fructooligosaccharides + inulin in a quantity of 0.15 g/kg bwt x d-1. The remaining horses received a placebo added to the basal diet. The horses were fed for 21 d and euthanized at the end of the feeding period. Digesta samples from different parts of the gastrointestinal tract were taken, DNA extracted and the V1-V2 region of the 16S rRNA gene amplified. Supplementation with the prebiotic increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus (P < 0.05), with a concurrent reduction of the relative abundance of Streptococcus mainly in the stomach (P < 0.05). In the hindgut, the supplemental prebiotic also increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus but further reduced the relative abundance of fibrolytic bacteria, specifically the unclassified members of the families Lachnospiraceae (P < 0.05) and Ruminococcaceae. The relative abundance of the genus Ruminococcus increased solely in the caecum and colon transversum. Overall, the addition of the prebiotic significantly increased the diversity in nearly all parts of the gastrointestinal tract (P < 0.05). The feeding of this natural prebiotic compound to horses had an impact on the microbial community in the entire gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, the effect on the bacterial community in the foregut (especially the stomach) was more pronounced in comparison to the effect in the hindgut. Therefore, the impact on stomach health should be carefully considered.

Hypoglycin A Content in Blood and Urine Discriminates Horses with Atypical Myopathy from Clinically Normal Horses Grazing on the Same Pasture.

Hypoglycin A (HGA) in seeds of Acer spp. is suspected to cause seasonal pasture myopathy in North America and equine atypical myopathy (AM) in Europe, fatal diseases in horses on pasture. In previous studies, this suspicion was substantiated by the correlation of seed HGA content with the concentrations of toxic metabolites in urine and serum (MCPA-conjugates) of affected horses. However, seed sampling was conducted after rather than during an outbreak of the disease. The aim of this study was to further confirm the causality between HGA occurrence and disease outbreak by seed sampling during an outbreak and the determination of i) HGA in seeds and of ii) HGA and MCPA-conjugates in urine and serum of diseased horses. Furthermore, cograzing healthy horses, which were present on AM affected pastures, were also investigated. AM-pastures in Germany were visited to identify seeds of Acer pseudoplatanus and serum (n = 8) as well as urine (n = 6) from a total of 16 diseased horses were analyzed for amino acid composition by LC-ESI-MS/MS, with a special focus on the content of HGA. Additionally, the content of its toxic metabolite was measured in its conjugated form in body fluids (UPLC-MS/MS). The seeds contained 1.7-319.8 µg HGA/g seed. The content of HGA in serum of affected horses ranged from 387.8-8493.8 µg/L (controls < 10 µg/L), and in urine from 143.8-926.4 µg/L (controls < 10 µg/L), respectively. Healthy cograzing horses on AM-pastures showed higher serum (108.8 ± 83.76 µg/L) and urine concentrations (26.9 ± 7.39 µg/L) compared to control horses, but lower concentrations compared to diseased horses. The range of MCPA-carnitine and creatinine concentrations found in diseased horses in serum and urine were 0.17-0.65 mmol/L (controls < 0.01), and 0.34-2.05 µmol/mmoL (controls < 0.001), respectively. MCPA-glycine levels in urine of cograzing horses were higher compared to controls. Thus, the causal link between HGA intoxication and disease outbreak could be further substantiated, and the early detection of HGA in cograzing horses, which are clinically normal, might be a promising step in prophylaxis.

Content of trace elements in serum of patients with carcinoma of the larynx.

An examination of the content of arsenic, nickel, copper, selenium, zinc, and iron in the serum of 78 patients with carcinoma of the larynx was carried out. The patients were divided into 4 groups: I - patients before treatment, II - patients after surgical treatment, III - patients after radiotherapy, IV - patients after combined treatment (surgery treatment + radiotherapy). The control group was formed of 17 patients operated for deviation of the nasal septum. Higher concentrations of arsenic, nickel and copper were found in the serum of the patients with carcinoma of the larynx before treatment (group I) as compared with the control group, whereas the concentrations of selenium, zinc and iron were lower. In the groups of patients after treatment, the highest concentrations of iron and zinc were found after surgical treatment. The level of selenium in all groups of patients was considerably lower than in the control group.

Experimental studies of vibratory trauma of Corti's organ. II. Scanning electron microscopy.

In the first part of this study, the authors presented the results of cochlear microphonics measurements in guinea pigs subjected to long-term whole-body vibration. In animals undergoing vibration over 30, 90, and 180 days, a statistically significant lowering of voltage over the range up to 2 kHz was seen. In accordance with cochlear-frequency position, this pointed to possible formation of sensory epithelium damages in the fourth and third turning. In the present study an attempt was made to verify electrophysiological measurements with a scanning electron microscope. In all, 80 cochleae were examined, 20 in each group of animals: one control and three experimental groups. The healthy animals showed a correct picture of the sensory epithelium in each case, whereas its damage was ascertained in all the study groups. The damage advanced with a longer duration of the experiment and was most often seen in the outer hair cell region of the apex, where it gradually spread towards the base of the cochlea. The damage of cells decreased from the circumference to the modiolus, and the inner hair cells showed considerably greater resistance to vibration. The results of the study demonstrate the harmful effect of mechanical vibration on the inner ear. According to the observed pattern of damage, one can expect an increasing hearing impairment in the low and medium frequency range in persons exposed to whole-body vibration.

Experimental studies of vibratory trauma of Corti's organ. I: Electrophysiological measurements.

In the present-day environment, vibration concomitant with noise is most frequently observed, but even though it is regarded as only a weak, additional traumatic factor affecting the organ of hearing. This opinion is contrary to a number of reports on the damage of the hearing organ caused by vibration in workers of various branches of industry. As experiments on humans are rather difficult, the harmful effect of vibration is usually examined on laboratory animals. In the majority of studies dealing with this problem the presence of noise (purposely or casually) was found in most cases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of isolated long-term whole-body vibration and vertical sinusoidal shaking (10 Hz frequency, 5 mm amplitude, and 2 g acceleration) on Corti's organ. The study was carried out on young guinea pigs of both sexes. Eighty four animals (30 control and 54 experimental) with Preyer's reflex and without otoscopically detectable changes were used. A group of 18 animals was subjected to vibration in noiseless shaking apparatus for 30, 90 and 180 days. After a one-month rest, cochlear microphonics were performed under urethane anaesthesia. Our modification of the phase-sensitive detection method was used. Cochlear microphonics at frequencies of 260 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz and 2 kHz was recorded from the apex of the cochlea and for 4 kHz and 8 kHz from the region of the round window. As the cochlear microphonics values showed significant individual differences, all experimental samples were examined by means of non-parametric tests. The outcome of the study demonstrated a gradual but considerable cochlear microphonics voltage decrease in the range to 2 kHz. This result pointed to the generation of vibration-induced damage in outer hair cells of the fourth and third turnings of the cochlea in the guinea pigs under study.

[The role of vibration in pathology of hearing]. / Rola wibracji w patologii narzadu sluchu.

Vibration is now considered as one of the most common environmental traumatic factors. The energy absorbed may exert a pathological effect on all bodily tissues and organs, although the consequences of exposure to vibration do not present a uniform clinical picture. Because all machines and vibrating tools also produce noise, the combined effect of both factors is usually examined. In the professional literature, an opinion predominates that vibration exerts only a week, additional traumatic influence on the hearing organ. This opinion is contrary to reports on vibration-related hearing impairments observed in workers of various branches of industry. In the past, the studies of harmful effects of vibration with the participation of volunteers were seldom and short-term. Experiments on laboratory animals were carried out on species with different sensibility of the hearing organ, and exposure to vibration was most frequently accompanied by noise. Nevertheless, they usually confirmed the presence of vibration-related changes in the inner ear, mostly in the hair cells. Moreover, there have been several reports on post-vibratory pathological changes not only in the inner, but also in other parts of the ear. All these findings indicate that the role of vibration in the pathology of the hearing organ is still underestimated and not fully elucidated.

[Atypical case of bronchial carcinoid]. / Nietypowy przypadek rakowiaka oskrzela.

This article illustrates problems in diagnosis and treatment of an atypical form of bronchial carcinoid. We described the case of a 49-year old man, exposed to granite dust and noise for 25 years who had suffered from frequent bronchitis inflammations and pneumonias for 5 years prior to the diagnosis. He was admitted to our clinic because of supposed occupational nature of hearing deficiency. Although a pneumoconiosis was excluded before the admission, we found clinical and X-ray features of the right lung emphysema with medium restrictive ventilation disturbances. Bronchoscopy was performed because of "bright" right lung and ventilation disturbances and it showed presence of the carcinoid. Unusual in this case were tiny anamnestical findings (mild dyspnea attacks after physical effort or nervousness) plus increasing frequency of reported from the childhood bronchitis and pneumonias and uncharacteristic "bright" right lung in X-ray. Therapeutical difficulties resulted from atypical histological form of the tumor, its diameter, polypous-infiltrative character, and inconvenient localization. In spite of late diagnosis of carcinoid and significant acceleration of respiratory decompensation symptoms after the diagnosis the attempt of surgical therapy was appropriate but unsuccessful. After the operation the patient was suffering long lasting lowering of arterial pressure (what was corrected with catecholamine infusions) probably as a result of serotonin secretion. However it was not established because of technical reasons.

[Tracheo-arterial fistula as a complication of tracheotomy]. / Przetoka tchawiczo-tetnicza jako powiklanie potracheotomijne.

The authors presented 2 cases of massive bleeding from brachiocephalic artery as a late complication after tracheotomy. In both deadly cases the artery wall was secondary damaged by the tracheal tube. The pathomechanism of this complication origin and significance of its acquaintance was discussed.

[The problem of diagnosing tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses]. / W sprawie rozpoznawania guzów nosa i zatok przynosowych.

A case of incorrect diagnosis of extensive nasal cavity, maxillary sinus and nasopharynx neoplasm was presented. The imitation of tumor symptoms was due by long lying in nasal cavity foreign body, inflammation of maxillary sinus and adenoiditis. The author underline that over hasty neoplasm diagnosis always exerts an unjustified and destructive psychologic influence on patient and his family.

[Assistive devices for tonsillectomy under general anesthesia]. / Urzadzenia pomocnicze do tonsylektomii w znieczuleniu ogólnym.

Tonsillectomy may cause many complications. Frequent and one of the most important of them is massive bleeding. Haemorrhage in the region of the inferior pole of tonsilla is peculiarly difficult to subdue. The authors describe two devices of own design for tonsillectomy under general anesthesia. "The junction" as well as "the support" make surgeon work easier. Intervention is also the less time consuming and may be done without aid of an assistant. "The support" seems to be especially recommendable for smaller laryngological departments not equipped with Kleinsasser set of instruments.

[Experimental studies of mechanism and efficiency of sclerosing agents: varicocid and paraffin]. / Badania doswiadczalne mechanizmu i skutecznosci dzialania srodków obliterujacych: varicocidu i parafiny.

Based on the analyse of publications the authors treated of history and contemporary applications of sclerotherapy. The role, methodics and results of sclerosing therapy among patients with oesophageal varices were also presented. The aim of the study was to examine the mechanism and efficiency of two sclerosing agents which are frequently used in Poland. Examinations were performed on 30 Wistar rats. Their caudal veins were injected with 0.1 ml of Varicocid or paraffin. In the control group the 0.9% solution of NaCl was applicated. Clinical and histologic appraisal were done at 3 weeks postinjection (first or second) of sclerosants. On the base of obtained results the necro-inflammatory properties and considerable higher efficiency of Varicocid were confirmed.

[Pediatric neoplasms: laryngological manifestations]. / Nowotwory wieku dzieciecego--objawy laryngologiczne.

Ten children with neoplasms of the head and neck were treated in the Clinic of Otolaryngology of Medical University in Wroclaw. In 4 children non-Hodgkin lymphoma-type B (NHL-B) primarily situated in tonsils or adenoids were diagnosed, 3 patients suffered from embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)--2 in the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses and 1 in the middle ear. One boy presented histiocytosis (LCH) in the orbit. In 1 case Hodgkin disease (HD) in the preauricular lympho nodes was found and in 1 child neuroblastoma of retromandibular region was detected. Our analysis revealed unsufficient oncological awareness of the physician who had examined the children as the first one. The neoplasms were detected in advanced stage. The onset of the treatment was additionally delayed because of the long period of expecting for the histological diagnosis.

[Several generations of developmental abnormalities of the branchial arches and cleft]. / Kilkupokoleniowe wystepowanie zaburzen rozwojowych luków i kieszonek skrzelowych.

Morphology and pathological mechanism of congenital anomalies of the first and second branchial arch and cleft were discussed. Present views on heredity of those malformations have been also presented. Five examples of familial occurrence of microtia and cleft are described.

[Histological and histochemical investigation of pathological laryngeal mucosa with papillomatosis in children and adults]. / Badania histologiczne oraz histochemiczne brodawczaków krtani u dzieci i doroslych.

Papillomas of the larynx are the subject of numerous studies. They occur in two forms (multiple and singular). The authors presented the results of histological and histochemical investigations of larynx papillomas in 9 adults and 16 children. The studies comprised patients treated in the Clinic of Otolaryngology in Wroclaw. Surgically removed lesions constituted the material for estimation. Peculiar attention was paid to the degree of differentiation of tumours under the microscope. The interdependence between intensification of reaction and degree of epithelhyperplasia and strict connection of intensification of reaction with quantity of dysplastic changes of epithelium were indicated by estimation of enzymatic reactions. Histological studies disclosed marked morphological differences between papillomas in children and adults. The correlation of reactions to lactic dehydrogenase and NADH2-tetrazole reductase can be treated as an expression of hyperplastic changes in the epithelium. What is more, the reaction to lactic dehydrogenase may be regarded as a metabolic index of malignancy.

[Histological and electron microscopic examinations of laryngeal papilloma in children and adults]. / Badania histologiczne oraz mikroskopowo-elektronowe brodawczaków krtani u dzieci i doroslych.

The authors present the results of histologic and electron microscopic investigations of larynx papillomas in 11 children and 8 adults. Comparative estimation showed the characteristic changes for clinical and morphological division of papilloma into adult-type and juvenile one. Detailed morphological analysis in adult-type papilloma either with dysplastic changes or with hyperkeratosis was performed.