Ovarian teratoma in the mare: a review and two cases

A 4-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare suffering from pelvic flexure impaction was diagnosed with a teratoma of the left ovary. The enlarged ovary was identified several days after treatment of the impaction. Surgical removal of the affected ovary was performed and histo pathological examination confirmed the presence of a teratoma. The features of another ovarian teratoma, which was an accidental finding at slaughter, are also described

Selection of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR in equine in vivo and fresh and frozen-thawed in vitro blastocysts

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Application of reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction is very well suited to reveal differences in gene expression between <it>in vivo </it>and <it>in vitro </it>produced embryos. Ultimately, this may lead to optimized equine assisted reproductive techniques. However, for a correct interpretation of the real-time PCR results, all data must be normalized, which is most reliably achieved by calculating the geometric mean of the most stable reference genes. In this study a set of reliable reference genes was identified for equine <it>in vivo </it>and fresh and frozen-thawed <it>in vitro </it>embryos.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The expression stability of 8 candidate reference genes (<it>ACTB</it>, <it>GAPDH</it>, <it>H2A/I</it>, <it>HPRT1</it>, <it>RPL32</it>, <it>SDHA</it>, <it>TUBA4A</it>, <it>UBC</it>) was determined in 3 populations of equine blastocysts (fresh <it>in vivo</it>, fresh and frozen-thawed <it>in vitro </it>embryos). Application of geNorm indicated <it>UBC</it>, <it>GAPDH</it>, <it>ACTB </it>and <it>HPRT1 </it>as the most stable genes in the <it>in vivo </it>embryos and <it>UBC</it>, <it>RPL32</it>, <it>GAPDH </it>and <it>ACTB </it>in both <it>in vitro </it>populations. When <it>in vivo </it>and <it>in vitro </it>embryos were combined, <it>UBC</it>, <it>ACTB</it>, <it>RPL32 </it>and <it>GAPDH </it>were found to be the most stable. <it>SDHA </it>and <it>H2A/I </it>appeared to be highly regulated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on these results, the geometric mean of <it>UBC</it>, <it>ACTB</it>, <it>RPL32 </it>and <it>GAPDH </it>is to be recommended for accurate normalization of quantitative real-time PCR data in equine <it>in vivo </it>and <it>in vitro </it>produced blastocysts.</p

Parental perspectives long term after neonatal clinical trial participation: a survey

BACKGROUND: Although recruiting newborns is ethically challenging, clinical trials remain essential to improve neonatal care. There is a lack of empirical data on the parental perspectives following participation of their neonate in a clinical trial, especially at long term. The objective of this study is to assess experiences and emotions of parents, long term after trial participation in an interventional drug trial. METHODS: Parents of former participants of five neonatal interventional drug trials were surveyed at long term (3-13 years ago) after participation. The survey assessed parental contentment with trial participation, perceived influence of the trial on care and health, emotional consequences of participation, and awareness of typical clinical trial characteristics on 6-point Likert scales. RESULTS: Complete responses were received from 123 parents (52% of involved families). Twenty percent of parents did not remember participation. Those who remembered participation reported high contentment with overall trial participation (median 5.00), but not with follow-up (median 3.00). Most parents did not perceive any influence of the trial on care (median 2.00) and health (median 2.43). Almost all parents reported satisfaction and pride (median 4.40), while a minority of parents reported anxiety and stress (median 1.44) or guilt (median 1.33) related to trial participation. A relevant minority was unaware of typical trial characteristics (median 4.20; 27% being unaware). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, parents reported positive experiences and little emotional distress long term after participation. Future efforts to improve the practice of neonatal clinical trials should focus on ensuring effective communication about the concept and characteristics of a clinical trial during consent discussions and on the follow-up after the trial.status: publishe

Consensus on the guidelines for the dietary management of classical galactosemia

Background and aim: Worldwide there is scientific discussion about the dietary management of galactosemia. The dietary management is very different in several countries among Europe, the US and Canada. The main points of discussion are related to the fact that i) despite a strict diet some patients still have poor outcomes; ii) there is lack of scientific knowledge about the role of endogenous production of galactose on disease evolution, with or without diet. The aim of the current work was the creation of a Belgian consensus on dietary guidelines for the management of galactosemia. Methods: A step-wise approach was used to achieve a consensus, including: a workshop, a Delphi round, discussion groups and a round table of different Belgian experts. Results: The consensus is an agreement between strict guidelines (strict limitation of fruits, vegetables and soybean products/French guidelines) and the more liberal guidelines (comparable with a diet free of lactose/guidelines of UK and the Netherlands). The consensus document consists of different modules, including the medical context, the theoretical background of dietary guidelines and the age-specific practical dietary guidelines. Conclusion: A Belgian consensus on the guidelines for the dietary management of classical galactosemia was developed despite the uncertainties of the efficacy and practical application of these guidelines. The final consensus is based on scientific knowledge and practical agreement among experts. In the future, regular revision of the guidelines is recommended and a uniform European guideline is desirabl