Article
Veterinary Sciences
Corradini Ignacio, Lopez-Murcia Maria del Mar, Barba Marta, Zebarjadian Sina, Rodilla Vicent, Mayordomo-Febrer Aloma
Summary: This study compared the use of detomidine alone or in combination with butorphanol in horses for electroretinogram testing using the Koijman electrode and RETI-port system. The results showed no significant differences in electroretinogram parameters between the two groups. During the evaluation under scotopic conditions, all mares made head movements resulting in a high number of artefacts. The detomidine plus butorphanol group tended to have fewer artefacts and a longer duration of sedation. Therefore, detomidine alone or combined with butorphanol may be suitable for standardized long protocol testing in horses using the Koijman electrode and RETI-port system.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Christos Iosifidis, Jingshu Liu, Theodora Gale, Jamie M. Ellingford, Christopher Campbell, Stuart Ingram, Kate Chandler, Neil R. A. Parry, Graeme C. Black, Panagiotis Sergouniotis
Summary: This study reports the clinical and genetic findings of 10 patients with TRPM1-retinopathy, a common cause of congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB). The study highlights the importance of comprehensive genomic analysis, beyond exons and protein-coding regions, for individuals with CSNB. It also suggests that a 15q13.3 microdeletion should be suspected in patients with CSNB and neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Yael L. Hack, Elizabeth E. Crabtree, Felipe Avila, Roger B. Sutton, Robert Grahn, Annie Oh, Brian Gilger, Rebecca R. Bellone
Summary: A genetic cause for congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) in Tennessee Walking Horses was identified through whole-genome sequencing, revealing a missense mutation in the GRM6 gene. This mutation is predicted to be deleterious, affecting the signaling from retinal rod cells to ON-bipolar cells. The allele frequency of this variant in Tennessee Walking Horses is 10%.
EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Tracy Tinsley, Callie Fogle, Elaine Means, James Robertston
Summary: Dental disease is a common condition among horses, but there is limited research on its prevalence and characteristics in miniature horses. This study examined 100 miniature horses and found that older horses had a higher prevalence of dental disease, diastemata, and crown elongations. The most common dental diseases detected were crown elongation, oral mucosal ulceration, diastemata, class 1 malocclusion, and hypodontia. Horses with a high body condition score were more likely to have class 1 malocclusion, and horses with wider heads had a higher prevalence of dental disease and class 1 malocclusions.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Elizabeth Esdaile, Angelica Kallenberg, Felipe Avila, Rebecca R. Bellone
Summary: Coat color is an economically significant trait in horses, with multiple gene variants causing white patterning. Testing on unregistered Shetland ponies revealed the presence of the W13 variant, which results in a white coat phenotype independent of other white spotting variants, likely suggesting its role in a Mendelian inherited dominant white phenotype.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Md. Panir Choudhury, Zihao Wang, Min Zhu, Shaohua Teng, Jing Yan, Shuwei Cao, Guoqiang Yi, Yuwen Liu, Yuying Liao, Zhonglin Tang
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of copy number variations (CNVs) in different horse breeds, and identified genomic regions associated with miniature features. Functional annotation revealed the biological functions and adaptations related to these CNVs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rosannette Quesada-Hidalgo, William G. Eberhard, Gilbert Barrantes
Summary: The study found that spiderlings of orb weavers are capable of making complex adjustments to their web designs in very small spaces with the same precision as adult spiders, possibly due to a similar number of neurons between them.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
O. Cuille, C. J. Bodaan, S. Brown, C. B. Riley, J. S. Munday, S. J. Mack
Summary: A 7-month-old Miniature filly presented with abnormal posture, lethargy, and weakness, which ultimately led to euthanasia due to severe renal occlusion and nephritis.
EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
R. Hilliard, G. Haines, J. Lillich
Summary: A 5-year-old American Miniature Horse mare presented with dystocia and was successfully treated, recovering with mild hindlimb instability.
EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Megan Elizabeth Corgan, Temple Grandin, Sarah Matlock
Summary: Horses, as prey animals, exhibit behaviors such as spooking to adapt and survive in their environment. These reactions can be dangerous for both horses and handlers, especially when a horse suddenly startles. Changing the orientation of familiar objects may cause horses to react differently, potentially leading to accidents.
Article
Microbiology
Laura H. V. G. Gil, Tereza Magalhaes, Beatriz S. A. S. Santos, Livia V. Oliveira, Edmilson F. Oliveira-Filho, Joao L. R. Cunha, Ana L. S. Fraiha, Brenda M. M. Rocha, Barbara C. Longo, Roselene Ecco, Guilherme C. Faria, Ronaldo Furtini, Safira R. M. Drumond, Renata P. A. Maranhao, Zelia I. P. Lobato, Maria Isabel M. C. Guedes, Raffaella B. C. Teixeira, Erica A. Costa
Summary: Madariaga virus (MADV) is a zoonotic and mosquito-borne pathogen circulating in Central and South America. Despite vaccination programs, MADV is actively circulating in northeast Brazil and may represent an emerging pathogen in Latin America. Recent outbreaks in 2019 highlight the need for continued surveillance and control measures against this arbovirus.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lieven Vlaminck, Elke Pollaris, Katrien Vanderperren, W. Henry Tremaine, Els Raes
Summary: In seven young miniature-breed horses, idiopathic sino-nasal obstruction resulted in retention of liquid in the paranasal sinus compartments. Treatment through surgery resulted in long-term resolution of the problem with good cosmetic appearance in all animals, with reports of premature loss of fixed tubes in three cases.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Yongda Liu, Xiaoliang Wang, Jie Xu, Debin Shan, Bin Guo
Summary: This study investigates the formation mechanism and optimization strategy of surface back-end defects in miniature complex hollow extruded profiles. The results show that the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of the back-end defects are poor. It is found that a small porthole outer radius effectively delays the entry of billet skin into the profile, thus delaying the formation of surface back-end defects.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Elisa Giaretta, Beatrice Mislei, Felipe Martinez-Pastor, Salvatore Nesci, Marcella Spinaci, Giovanna Galeati, Chiara Nerozzi, Gaetano Mari, Carlo Tamanini, Diego Bucci
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the role of mitochondria in horse sperm motility and ROS production by incubating spermatozoa with specific inhibitors. The results showed that disruption of mitochondrial integrity led to an increase in mitochondrial ROS production, which negatively affected sperm function and survival.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Hana Dockalova, Ladislav Zeman, Daria Baholet, Andrej Batik, Sylvie Skalickova, Pavel Horky
Summary: The study found that in horses, the digestibility of flavonolignans increased with the daily dose of milk thistle expeller and then plateaued.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yael Hack, Michala de Linde Henriksen, Tina Holberg Pihl, Rikke Krarup Nielsen, Ann E. Dwyer, Rebecca R. Bellone
Summary: This study investigated potential genetic risk factors for ERU in Icelandic horses, identifying a SNP on ECA 11 that may be associated with ERU and highlighting the need for further exploration of TIMP2.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Elizabeth Esdaile, Brad Till, Angelica Kallenberg, Michelle Fremeux, Leslie Bickel, Rebecca R. Bellone
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Stephanie J. Valberg, Abigail E. Schultz, Carrie J. Finno, Rebecca R. Bellone, Shayne S. Hughes
Summary: The study found that the MYH1(E321G) mutation in Quarter Horses and related breeds can lead to muscle atrophy and rhabdomyolysis, with approximately 20% of My/N QH developing rapid atrophy. Atrophy is more common in homozygous My/My QH and less likely to resolve. Before the onset of the disease, 43% of MYH1(E321G) QH were vaccinated or had respiratory or gastrointestinal diseases.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Zhong Wang, Alexandra G. Chivu, Lauren A. Choate, Edward J. Rice, Donald C. Miller, Tinyi Chu, Shao-Pei Chou, Nicole B. Kingsley, Jessica L. Petersen, Carrie J. Finno, Rebecca R. Bellone, Douglas F. Antczak, John T. Lis, Charles G. Danko
Summary: This study examines the relationship between histone modifications and transcription using experimental perturbations and machine-learning tools. The results suggest that transcription predicts the variation of active histone marks and complex chromatin states, and blocking transcription rapidly removes specific histone modifications. Transcription is also required for the maintenance of certain histone modifications.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Elouise K. Bacon, Callum G. Donnelly, Rebecca R. Bellone, Carrie J. Finno, Brandon D. Velie
Summary: Individual variation in opioid sensitivity can significantly impact equine veterinary treatments. This review explores the overlap between opioid metabolism and coat color mechanisms in horses, focusing on the MC1R gene. The use of MC1R coat color genotype may improve opioid use in clinical settings, but the relationship between opioid metabolism and MC1R variants in horses remains unexplored.
EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Artur Gurgul, Tomasz Szmatola, Ewa Oclon, Igor Jasielczuk, Ewelina Semik-Gurgul, Carrie J. Finno, Jessica L. Petersen, Rebecca Bellone, Erin N. Hales, Tomasz Zabek, Zbigniew Arent, Malgorzata Kotula-Balak, Monika Bugno-Poniewierska
Summary: In recent years, there has been a vast amount of sequencing data generated and improvements have been made to reference genome sequences. However, a significant portion of reads still do not map to reference genomes and have been considered as junk or artificial sequences. Recent studies have shown that these unmapped reads can be useful for refining reference genomes or detecting contaminating microorganisms. This study analyzed unmapped RNA-Seq reads from the horse and found that they can be easily assembled into transcripts related to important genes in other mammals. Additionally, some of these unmapped reads aligned to common pathogenic or neutral microbiota. These findings highlight the importance of analyzing unmapped reads for in-depth RNA-Seq analysis.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Nicole B. Kingsley, Lynne Sandmeyer, Rebecca R. Bellone
Summary: Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a difficult-to-manage ocular inflammatory disease that leads to bilateral blindness in horses. Recent research aims to uncover the primary factors contributing to disease onset and progression, in order to facilitate early detection and improved prognosis.
VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Nicole B. Kingsley, Lynne Sandmeyer, Elaine M. Norton, Doug Speed, Ann Dwyer, Mary Lassaline, Molly McCue, Rebecca R. Bellone
Summary: This study aimed to determine the heritability of insidious uveitis in the Appaloosa horse breed. By analyzing genotype data, it was found that insidious uveitis has a high heritability among Appaloosas, and there are additional genetic loci outside of the known coat pattern gene that contribute to the genetic risk for this disease.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Nicole B. Kingsley, Lynne Sandmeyer, Sarah E. Parker, Ann Dwyer, Sanna Heden, Camilla Reilly, Anna Hallendar-Edman, Sheila Archer, Rebecca R. Bellone
Summary: This study evaluated clinical manifestations and risk factors for ERU in Knabstruppers, finding LP genotype and age as major risk factors, enabling risk prediction through genetic testing. Further studies are needed to develop more robust risk models.
EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Megan E. Elcombe, Rebecca R. Bellone, K. Gary Magdesian, Carrie J. Finno
Summary: This study examined the frequency of EFIH and FFS variant alleles in the United States Thoroughbred population between 1988 and 2019, and found that these variants are not recent mutations. Continued monitoring of breed allele frequencies and genetic testing is recommended to prevent the mating of carriers and production of affected foals.
EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Felipe Avila, Shayne S. Hughes, K. Gary Magdesian, Maria Cecilia Torres Penedo, Rebecca R. Bellone
Summary: This study investigated 29 variants within 14 genes in 11,281 horses from 28 breeds to explore breed distribution, allele frequencies, and potential lethal variants. The findings revealed different allele frequencies for coat colors and white spotting patterns in different breeds, suggesting the importance of breed-specific studies in understanding genetic characteristics and conducting genetic testing in horses.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Patrick M. McCue, Philip M. Matthews, Melissa J. Prell, Rebecca R. Bellone, Heather Allen
Summary: This article describes two clinical cases of delayed embryonic development or delayed fertilisation in pregnancies generated by embryo transfer, and confirms the importance of genetic testing in determining parentage.
EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
R. R. Bellone, J. Tanaka, E. Esdaile, R. B. Sutton, F. Payette, L. Leduc, B. J. Till, A. K. Abdel-Ghaffar, M. Hammond, K. G. Magdesian
Summary: Splashed white in horses is characterized by extensive white patterning on the legs, face and abdomen and may be accompanied by deafness. This study identified a de novo mutation in MITF, known as SW8, in a white Thoroughbred stallion and confirmed its role in the white coat pattern and deafness phenotype. The findings highlight the importance of MITF variants in white patterning and provide insight into the link between deafness and melanocyte development.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Elizabeth Esdaile, Kelly E. Knickelbein, Callum G. Donnelly, Michelle Ferneding, Monica J. Motta, Brett D. Story, Felipe Avila, Carrie J. Finno, Brian C. Gilger, Lynne Sandmeyer, Sara Thomasy, Rebecca R. Bellone
Summary: This study identifies the presence of congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) in multiple horse breeds and identifies the genetic variations associated with this disease. The study also provides recommendations for treatment, emphasizing the importance of genetic testing in horses with the identified genetic variations.
VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Eleonora Cappelletti, Francesca M. Piras, Lorenzo Sola, Marco Santagostino, Jessica L. Petersen, Rebecca R. Bellone, Carrie J. Finno, Sichong Peng, Ted S. Kalbfleisch, Ernest Bailey, Solomon G. Nergadze, Elena Giulotto
Summary: This study investigates the centromeric region of horse chromosome 11 and its association with CENP-A binding domains. They found that the centromere of horse chromosome 11 does not contain satellite DNA and that the CENP-A binding domain can slide within a specific region, giving rise to positional alleles. By mapping the CENP-A binding domains in different tissues of horses from various embryonic origins, they demonstrated that the position of the centromeric domain remains constant during development.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
