Raphael Rocha Wenceslau

The objective was to compare the linear, spatial, and temporal variables of the Marcha Batida (MB) and Marcha Picada (MP) gaits, aiming to characterize and identify their differences. 135 ridden Mangalarga Marchador horses were evaluated. The following variables were measured: speed, length, frequency, and duration of strides; distribution of stride time in each type of support; time and position of the diagonal dissociation; type and distance of the lateral limb footprints. At the same speed (3.88 m/s), MB and MP presented the same frequency, duration, and length of strides. MB showed a predominance of diagonal supports, followed by thoracic tripedal, pelvic tripedal, lateral bipedal, quadrupedal and pelvic monopedal supports, while MP showed a predominance of lateral supports, followed by diagonal supports, thoracic and pelvic tripedal supports, and pelvic unipedal support. All MP animals showed dissociation starting with the thoracic limb and were more dissociated than the MB. Most MB horses showed overstepping, while in the MP, the predominance was of animals with overstepping and an average distance of 17.68 centimeters. It is concluded that MB and MP presented differences in the kinematic variables analyzed, and the values found showed divergence from the description of the current breed standard.

An emerging highly virulent S. Gallinarum strain caused uncommon respiratory and intestinal lesions.The intranasal route of challenge caused a more severe and systemic disease, with broader organ involvement.The emerging strain targeted novel organs including larynx, trachea, bursa of Fabricius, and bone marrow.

Lazy heart is a condition reported in elderly cats, characterized by a more horizontal orientation of the cardiac silhouette relative to the sternum. This study aimed to demonstrate and quantify this horizontalization of the cardiac silhouette and the consequent increase in sternal contact associated with age. Radiographs from 45 cats were evaluated by two observers with different levels of experience, with measurements taken for: the angle between the cardiac silhouette axis and the sternum (ANG), the extent of cardiac silhouette contact with the sternum (CON), the length of the penultimate sternebra (STERN), and the ratio between sternal contact and sternebra length (CON/STERN). Animals were divided into groups: Group 1 (6-12 months), Group 2 (12 months-6 years), and Group 3 (≥7 years). Cats older than seven years exhibited lower ANG and higher CON, whereas younger cats showed shorter STERN. Comparisons between the two observers demonstrated high consistency across all variables and age ranges analyzed. ANG proved to be a useful tool, providing a quantitative approach that can assist in the evaluation of “lazy heart.” The results of this study suggest that aging is associated with changes in cardiac positioning. These findings should be considered in radiographic assessments to avoid misinterpretations that could be mistaken for pathological conditions.

The presence of follicles and the corpus luteum (CL) in the ovarian surface plays a key role in determining the morphological and molecular fate of the female reproductive tract. However, the specific response of the isthmus epithelium to these ovarian structures remains poorly understood. This study hypothesizes that distinct ovarian structures differentially affect both the cellular aggregate-forming capacity of oviductal isthmus cells and the expression of ESR1, ESR2, and PGR genes. Reproductive tracts were categorized into three groups: ovaries with ≤5 mm follicles (small follicles group; SF); ovaries with follicles between 8-10 mm (large follicles group; LF); and ovaries containing active corpus luteum (CL Group). Isthmus cells from the three groups were cultivated to form cellular aggregates (oviductal explants) during 24 h. Moreover, the expression levels of ESR1, ESR2, and PGR genes were analyzed in the isthmus cells of the experimental groups. The isthmus cells of LF group showed an increased number of cellular aggregates than SF and CL group. Additionally, the SF group presented more aggregates than the CL group. Gene expression analysis revealed that ESR1 expression was higher in the SF group than in the LF group. Moreover, PGR expression was greater in the CL than in the SF group, as well as in the LF than in the SF group. In conclusion, ovarian structures impact the cellular aggregate formation capacity and the gene expression of ovarian steroid receptors in isthmus cells.

Boa constrictor snakes represent a suitable model for studying the absorption, metabolism, and elimination of tramadol due to their distinct physiological characteristics. The objective of this work was to provide preliminary data on the pharmacokinetics of tramadol and its active metabolite, O-desmethyltramadol (M1), in the plasma of Boa constrictor using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Ten snakes received tramadol (5 mg kg⁻¹) both into the epaxial musculature (TRIM) and into the paravertebral vein (TRIV) with a 45-day interval between the two administration methods. Blood samples were taken at specified time points to analyze the pharmacokinetics. Data were evaluated with an independent pharmacokinetic model (R software version 4.3.0). A paired Student’s t-test was used for all parametric variables, except clearance, which was analyzed with the Wilcoxon test. A significance level of 5% was applied. The mean (range) maximum concentration of tramadol, volume of distribution, clearance, and elimination half-life for the TRIM group were 2.58 µg mL⁻¹, 10.58 ± 2.91 L kg⁻¹, 0.36 L kg⁻¹ h⁻¹, and 19.96 ± 8.34 h, respectively. For the TRIV group, these values were 3.39 µg mL⁻¹, 5.60 ± 1.69 L kg⁻¹, 0.22 L kg h⁻¹, and 17.32 ± 7.55 h⁻¹, respectively. M1 achieved maximum concentration and elimination half-lives of 0.58 µg mL⁻¹ and 49.89 ± 10.8 h, respectively, for TRIM and 0.59 µg mL⁻¹ and 35.66 ± 10.85 h for TRIV. The bioavailability of intramuscular tramadol was 61%, and M1 remained at similar concentrations for 20 min after tramadol administration in both treatments. Tramadol is rapidly biotransformed into M1 in Boa constrictors, maintaining high concentrations over an extended period. The pharmacokinetic characteristics, particularly the sustained plasma concentrations of M1, suggest potential for effective analgesia in the Boa constrictor. Furthermore, the intramuscular route provides the additional advantage of ease and practicality of administration.

A multimodal approach is recommended to optimize perioperative pain control in animals, although opioid use in horses remains limited due to the risks of central nervous system (CNS) stimulation and reduced intestinal motility. A group of 19 healthy, male, mixed-breed horses were divided into two groups and medicated with acepromazine (0.05 mg kg⁻¹) and detomidine (10 µg kg⁻¹), with methadone (0.05 mg kg⁻¹) (ADM) or saline (ADS) administered intravenously (IV). Physiological variables, intestinal motility, gastric distention, and facial pain (EQUUS-FAP) were evaluated one day before (DB), before the surgical procedure (BS), and at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h (T1h–T8h) after administration (ADM-ADS). Results are presented as means with standard deviation or medians with an interquartile range. Analysis of variance, the Mann–Whitney, and Durbin tests were applied (p < 0.05). Intestinal motility was reduced at T1h and T2h, returning to baseline by T6h and T8h in both groups. Ultrasonographic examination revealed reduced motility, with less significant changes in the left ventral colon (LVC), right ventral colon (RVC), and cecum. Gastric dilatation was more pronounced in the ADM group at T1, 4, 6, and 8h. EQUUS-FAP scores were significantly lower in ADM at T2, 4, and 6h. ADM protocol may aid chemical restraint and analgesia without increasing hypomotility.

Morphine has significant clinical and analgesic effects in horses, but its impact on the gastrointestinal tract requires further understanding. This study assessed the analgesic and gastrointestinal effects of morphine in horses undergoing elective orchiectomy in the quadrupedal position. Thirty uncastrated male horses were randomly assigned to three groups: orchiectomy without morphine and sedation protocol (OSM), orchiectomy with morphine and sedation protocol (OM), and administration of morphine alone in the absence of orchiectomy (M). The anesthetic protocol involved acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg IV) and detomidine (10 mcg/kg IV) sedation in groups OSM and OM, with morphine sulfate (0.05 mg/kg IV) given to OM and M, and NaCl to OSM. The team measured clinical parameters, pain, and sedation using the EQUUS-FAP scale, while they monitored bowel motility and gastric dilation through abdominal ultrasound. These assessments were performed on the previous day (m1), 20 min before surgery (m2), and at various time points following the administration of morphine or saline solution: one hour (m3), two hours (m4), four hours (m5), six hours (m6), and eight hours (m7) post-procedure for all three groups. There was no significant difference in pain score between OSM and OM, though OM had better sedation. Ultrasound revealed decreased colon contractions and minor gastric dilation in OSM and OM, normalizing within 6 h. Group M showed reduced motility and significant gastric dilation lasting 8 h. In conclusion, while morphine enhanced sedation without causing greater gastrointestinal dysfunction than OSM, its administration alone resulted in a more pronounced reduction in gastrointestinal motility and an increased risk of gastric dilation.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a psychiatric disorder associated with functioning and cognitive impairments, as well as a higher prevalence of physical disease comorbidities. Objective: To determine the main predictors of functioning in patients with BD. Methods: Thirty-five patients with BD type I in remission participated in this study. To better characterize the degree of impairment, 20 matched controls were also studied. Functioning was assessed through the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) and the UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA), while cognition was assessed through the BAC-A. Current physical conditions were assessed and categorized according to the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). Regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between functioning and clinical variables, global cognitive performance, and physical comorbidities in BD. Results: UPSA correlated positively with the BAC-A total score (r=0.488; p=0.025), years of education (rho=0.41; p<0.01), and CIRS total score (rho=0.394; p<0.001). CIRS was the only predictor that remained negatively and significantly correlated with the UPSA total score (R2=0.446, F (1, 33)=8.198, p=0.007). Conclusion: Patients with BD had poor functioning, with the primary determinant of poor functioning being the burden of physical illnesses. In addition, the low agreement between the FAST and UPSA scales suggests these tolls assess distinct constructs.

Porcine breeding industries typically ensure the viability of boar artificial insemination doses during a 5-day liquid storage period at 17 °C. This study aimed to investigate whether the addition of L-carnitine (LC) to boar semen doses on different days of cooled storage could extend their usability. In experiment 1, LC was added to porcine semen doses on the fifth day (d5) of cooled storage performing five treatments control (no LC), 0.5, 1-, 5- and 10-mM LC. On d6 and d8 of storage, semen samples were evaluated for sperm motility and kinematic parameters, membrane functionality, and hydrogen peroxide and nitrite concentrations. In experiment 2, the number of sperm bound to the zona pellucida (ZP) was determined, as a way to investigate sperm penetration capability from boar insemination doses, with co-incubation with porcine oocytes. LC concentration that produced the most favorable outcomes in Experiment 1 was chosen to experiments 2 and 3, performing two treatments in the absence and with the LC. In Experiment 3, LC was added to cooled porcine semen doses after one day of storage (d1), and the same evaluations of experiment 1 were conducted on days 5, 7, 9, and 12, including sperm membrane integrity. The addition of 10 mM LC on d5 and d1 of storage improved sperm motility, which was extended up to 8 and 12 days of cooled storage, respectively. LC addition on d5 of storage increased sperm membrane functionality, while when added to semen on d1 of storage, it decreased NO₂^- concentration on d9. On d6 of cooled storage 10 mM LC increased the number of sperm bound to ZP compared to the control. In conclusion, adding 10 mM LC to porcine semen doses at 17 °C improved sperm characteristics and ZP binding, ultimately enhancing sperm viability for up to 12d.