Area and Resource Utilization of Group-Housed Horses in an Active Stable

Simple Summary Horses are increasingly being kept in group stables where they are given the opportunity to move freely and to contact conspecifics. This study examined how the horses of a large group move in an active stable and which areas or resources they use over a period of 7.5 months with the help of linear mixed models. Therefore, a grid with the size of 3 × 3 m per square was applied. The horses used, on average, 53.2 ± 19 different squares per hour. It was shown that observation day (p < 0.001) and covariate age (p < 0.001) had significant effects on squares visited per hour. Sex (p = 0.30) and breed (p = 0.65) had no significant effects. A large variation in the squares visited per hour was determined for the individual horses. Most frequently visited were the individual resources, such as the feed stalls or lying halls. An open tarp skin lying hall was preferred over a metal hall. The shelters were only partly popular. An overview of the usage frequency of the paddock could be created by using heatmaps. Overall, specific conclusions about the use of individual areas and potential for improvement could be pointed out. Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the utilization of different stable areas of a total of 52 group-housed horses as well as their preferred stable parts and the use of resources. The study was situated in a “HIT Active Stable®” in Northern Germany for a period of 227 observation days. After dividing the whole farm area in a grid of 3 × 3 m, the dataset was examined with and without the pasture area. Furthermore, linear mixed models were applied. On average, horses used 53.2 ± 19 different squares per hour. The observation day (p < 0.001) and the covariate age (p < 0.001) had significant effects on the different squares visited per hour. No significant effects were found for sex (p = 0.30) and breed (p = 0.65) as only geldings and no stallions were part of the group and the distribution of the breeds was unfavorable. The random effect animal showed that the horse-individual estimates from −19.2 to 17.6 different squares visited per hour were quite large. Furthermore, it could be shown that the horses used resources such as feed stalls with a frequency of up to 0.14% more than other paddock areas without resources. Open lying halls with tarp skin were also preferred over the metal hall. The shelters were only partly popular. Use could be visualized with the help of heat maps. This study gives a good overview of the use of individual areas and resources and possible improvements.The aim of this study was to analyze the utilization of different stable areas of a total of 52 group-housed horses as well as their preferred stable parts and the use of resources. The study was situated in a "HIT Active Stable®" in Northern Germany for a period of 227 observation days. After dividing the whole farm area in a grid of 3 × 3 m, the dataset was examined with and without the pasture area. Furthermore, linear mixed models were applied. On average, horses used 53.2 ± 19 different squares per hour. The observation day (p < 0.001) and the covariate age (p < 0.001) had significant effects on the different squares visited per hour. No significant effects were found for sex (p = 0.30) and breed (p = 0.65) as only geldings and no stallions were part of the group and the distribution of the breeds was unfavorable. The random effect animal showed that the horse-individual estimates from -19.2 to 17.6 different squares visited per hour were quite large. Furthermore, it could be shown that the horses used resources such as feed stalls with a frequency of up to 0.14% more than other paddock areas without resources. Open lying halls with tarp skin were also preferred over the metal hall. The shelters were only partly popular. Use could be visualized with the help of heat maps. This study gives a good overview of the use of individual areas and resources and possible improvements

Wild Boars Carry Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase- and AmpC-Producing Escherichia coli

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represent major healthcare concerns. The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of these bacteria is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine their prevalence in wild boars in Germany and to characterize individual isolates. A total of 375 fecal samples and 439 nasal swabs were screened for the presence of ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli and MRSA, respectively. The associations of seven demographic and anthropogenic variables with the occurrence of ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli were statistically evaluated. Collected isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular typing methods, and gene detection by PCR and genome sequencing. ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli were detected in 22 fecal samples (5.9%) whereas no MRSA were detected. The occurrence of ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli in wild boars was significantly and positively associated with human population density. Of the 22 E. coli, 19 were confirmed as ESBL-producers and carried genes belonging to blaCTX-M group 1 or blaSHV-12. The remaining three isolates carried the AmpC-β-lactamase gene blaCMY-2. Several isolates showed additional antimicrobial resistances. All four major phylogenetic groups were represented with group B1 being the most common. This study demonstrates that wild boars can serve as a reservoir for ESBL-/AmpC-producing and multidrug-resistant E. coli

Closure times of neurocranial sutures and synchondroses in Persian compared to Domestic Shorthair cats

Human-directed selective breeding has modified the phenotype of the modern Persian cat towards an extreme brachycephalic phenotype (‘peke-face’ Persian), which originates from a spontaneous mutation that first appeared in the 1950s in traditional Persian types. It was suggested that the peke-face phenotype results from pathologic skull development and might represent a craniosynostosis of the coronal sutures. We followed this hypothesis and investigated the time dependent status of the neurocranial sutures and synchondroses in an ontogenetic series of doll-faced and peke-faced Persian cats compared to Domestic Shorthair cats (DSHs). Cranial suture closure was assessed by examining an ontogenetic series of formalin-fixed head specimens (n = 55) and dry skulls (n = 32) using micro-computed tomography. Sagittal, metopic, coronal and lambdoid sutures as well as intersphenoidal, spheno-occipital and spheno-ethmoid synchondroses were examined. Logistic regression analysis was performed to test the global effect of age on suture closure within a group of peke-face Persians, doll-face Persians and DSHs and the 50% probability of having a closed suture was calculated and compared between groups. Age was a perfect predictor for the condition of the coronal sutures in peke-face Persians. Coronal sutures were found to be closed at 0–0.3 months. In doll-face and DSHs, coronal sutures were open throughout the lifetime with the exception of a few very old cats. Results of this study confirmed a coronal craniosynostosis that likely causes the extreme brachycephalic skull morphology in the peke-face Persian

Zinc Status of Horses and Ponies: Relevance of Health, Horse Type, Sex, Age, and Test Material

Little is known about the animal- and diet-related factors that could interfere with the plasma zinc (Zn) concentrations of equines. Additionally, the adequacy of plasma to reflect changes in the Zn intake is unclear. In the first part of this study, the plasma Zn concentrations of hospitalized horses and ponies (n = 538) were measured and evaluated for the impact of the age, sex, horse type, and internal diseases of the animals. In the second part, the effects of increasing dietary Zn chloride hydroxide and Zn methionine supplementations were assessed on the plasma and mane hair Zn concentrations of healthy horses (n = 2) and ponies (n = 8). Part 1: The age, sex, and horse type did not influence the plasma Zn concentrations. No effect of internal diseases was observed, with the exception of higher plasma Zn concentrations in animals with metabolic disorders compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Part 2: Both Zn supplements dose-dependently increased the Zn concentrations in the mane hair (p = 0.003), but not in the plasma of the horses and ponies. In conclusion, the plasma Zn concentrations were widely unaffected by nutritional and non-nutritional factors in equines, while mane hair samples better reflected the dietary Zn supply

Validation of the network of relationship inventory in female and male adolescents

Friendships and their different qualities have been shown to be important for adolescents\u27 socio-emotional development and psychological adjustment. In empirical research on such friendship qualities, the Network of Relationship Inventory-Relationship Quality Version (NRI-RQV) is a widely used questionnaire. Here, we conduct an extensive validation of a German version of the NRI-RQV, investigating its factor structure, reliability, and concurrent validity, in a sample of N= 679 adolescents aged 13-18 years. Applying multigroup confirmatory factor analysis, we further test whether the factor structure of the friendship quality construct holds across groups of males and females. Results showed that a structure with nine correlated first-order factors fit the data well, indicating nine distinct friendship qualities in males and females. Measurement invariance testing suggested the same underlying friendship quality construct, albeit differences in mean scores per gender. As evidence for concurrent validity, closeness and discordant friendship qualities showed expected correlations with empathy and social problems, respectively, but not with aggressive behavior. Overall, results indicate good psychometric properties for the German version of the NRI-RQV as a measure of friendship qualities in both males and females. (DIPF/Orig.

Periodontal structures in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: A histological evaluation

IntroductionPituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and dental disorders are of major concern in horses older than 15 years. Although PPID in geriatric horses and dental disorders in all age groups are well described, a connection between this endocrine disease and pathological changes in equine dental structures has not yet been investigated. In humans, periodontitis is considered to be a complication of systemic diseases like diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity and various conditions leading to an impaired immune response. In PPID, cross links to insulin and immune dysregulations are proven. The aim of this study was to compare histological findings of the gingiva and the sub gingival periodontal ligament of PPID affected horses with control horses.MethodsIn a case-control morphometric descriptive study, 145 dental locations of 10 PPID affected horses (27.3 ± 2.06 years) were compared with 147 dental locations of 10 controls (21.4 ± 4.12 years). Histological parameters were leukocyte infiltration, keratinization of gingival epithelium, blood vessel supply of the periodontium and structure of cementum.ResultsThe distribution and localization of gingival leukocyte infiltrations (LI) in PPID affected horses was more often multifocal to coalescing (p = 0.002) and reached into deeper parts of the periodontium, sometimes down to the sub gingival periodontal ligament (PDL). Aged animals of both groups showed higher prevalence (PPID: OR 1.66; controls: OR 1.15) for severe leukocyte infiltration in the PDL. PPID was not significantly associated with increased LI. The cementum bordering the soft tissue in interdental locations showed four times more irregularities in PPID affected horses than in controls which predisposes for interdental food impaction and periodontal diseases.DiscussionIn summary, multifocal to coalescing leukocytes and irregular cementum are seen more often in PPID than in controls - however our findings mainly reflect an association of older age with periodontal disease

Reliability and interobserver variability of a grading system of ventricular distension in dogs

IntroductionInternal hydrocephalus is the most common malformation of the central nervous system in dogs. Although the grades of ventricular distension have importance for long-term prognosis, there is no standard classification scheme describing the grade of the ventricular distension in dogs.Materials and methodsMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 147 dogs of various breed, sex, skull conformation, and weight were reviewed retrospectively and blinded between three observers. Based on objectively assessable morphologic characteristics, the lateral cerebral ventricles were graded as normal, minimally, mildly, moderately, severely enlarged or end stage (grade 0 to grade 5), respectively. Evans’ index or the ventricle brain index was also measured in all animals. Interobserver agreement between a very experienced, experienced, and unexperienced person was evaluated by the Spearman coefficient and kappa tests. Additionally, correlation to the ventricle brain index was determined using the Spearman coefficient and F-tests.ResultsThe Spearman correlation coefficient reached a very strong correlation (r = 0.97) between the experienced and very experienced observer and a strong correlation (r = 0.91) between the very experienced and unexperienced observer. The kappa value revealed excellent interobserver agreement between the very experienced and experienced observers (weighted kappa 0.91) and moderate between the very experienced and unexperienced observers (weighted kappa 0.75). The ventricular-brain index correlated (r = 0.94, Spearman coefficient test) with the grading system, indicating that a more elevated ratio was related to a more advanced degree of ventricular enlargement. The interobserver agreement with regard to the grade between the neurologist in training and a board-certified neurologist was excellent and between the board-certified neurologist and general practitioner achieved lower values.ConclusionThe presented MRI-based grading of ventricular enlargement is a reliable and functional method for an objective grading of the ventricular system in dogs. Some experience in MRI and brain anatomy is needed for interpretation and grading

Strain specific differences in vitamin D3 response: impact on gut homeostasis

Vitamin D3 regulates a variety of biological processes irrespective of its well-known importance for calcium metabolism. Epidemiological and animal studies indicate a role in immune regulation, intestinal barrier function and microbiome diversity. Here, we analyzed the impact of different vitamin D3- containing diets on C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, with a particular focus on gut homeostasis and also investigated effects on immune cells in vitro. Weak regulatory effects were detected on murine T cells. By trend, the active vitamin D3 metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 suppressed IFN, GM-CSF and IL-10 cytokine secretion in T cells of C57BL/6 but not BALB/c mice, respectively. Using different vitamin D3-fortified diets, we found a tissue–specific enrichment of mainly CD11b+ myeloid cells but not T cells in both mouse strains e.g. in spleen and Peyer’s Patches. Mucin Reg3γ and Batf expression, as well as important proteins for gut homeostasis, were significantly suppressed in the small intestine of C57BL76 but not BALB/c mice fed with a high-vitamin D3 containing diet. Differences between both mouse stains were not completely explained by differences in vitamin D3 receptor expression which was strongly expressed in epithelial cells of both strains. Finally, we analyzed gut microbiome and again an impact of vitamin D3 was detected in C57BL76 but not BALB/c. Our data suggest strain-specific differences in vitamin D3 responsiveness under steady state conditions which may have important implications when choosing a murine disease model to study vitamin D3 effects

Impact of Metabolic Regulators on the Expression of the Obesity Associated Genes FTO and NAMPT in Human Preadipocytes and Adipocytes

FTO and NAMPT/PBEF/visfatin are thought to play a role in obesity but their transcriptional regulation in adipocytes is not fully understood. In this study, we evaluated the transcriptional regulation of FTO and NAMPT in preadipocytes and adipocytes by metabolic regulators.We assessed FTO mRNA expression during human adipocyte differentiation of Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) cells and primary subcutaneous preadipocytes in vitro and evaluated the effect of the metabolic regulators glucose, insulin, dexamethasone, IGF-1 and isoproterenol on FTO and NAMPT mRNA expression in SGBS preadipocytes and adipocytes. FTO mRNA levels were not significantly modulated during adipocyte differentiation. Also, metabolic regulators had no impact on FTO expression in preadipocytes or adipocytes. In SGBS preadipocytes NAMPT expression was more than 3fold induced by dexamethasone and isoproterenol and 1.6fold by dexamethasone in adipocytes. Complete glucose restriction caused an increase in NAMPT mRNA expression by more than 5fold and 1.4fold in SGBS preadipocytes and adipocytes, respectively.FTO mRNA expression is not significantly affected by differentiation or metabolic regulators in human adipocytes. The stimulation of NAMPT expression by dexamethasone, isoproterenol and complete glucose restriction may indicate a regulation of NAMPT by metabolic stress, which was more pronounced in preadipocytes compared to mature adipocytes

A Novel High-Affinity Sucrose Transporter Is Required for Virulence of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis

A novel, high-affinity sucrose transporter identified in the plasma membrane of the plant pathogen Ustilago maydis is essential for fungal virulence and successful infection of maize