American journal of veterinary research最新文献

Objective: To develop models for prediction of the onset of specific diseases in cats using pet insurance data and to evaluate their predictive performance.

Methods: Agria Pet Insurance data from almost 550,000 cats (2011 to 2016) were analyzed and used to train predictive models for periodontal disease and skin tumors using breed, sex, and insurance claim history. Random downsampling and 1:1 matching by age, insurance duration, and time at risk balanced the dataset. Variables were then further processed, with random forest and conditional logistic regression used for analysis. Model accuracy was assessed through leave-one-out cross-validation, while variable importance plots, partial dependence plots, and coefficients were used for model interpretation.

Results: Model accuracy ranged from 81.9% to 88.2% (P < .01, baseline 50%). Key predictors included prior insurance claims for "digestive," "whole body symptom," "skin," and "injury conditions," which may be nonspecific and predictive of various diseases. Maine Coon, Siamese, and Burmese cats were associated with periodontal disease-positive predictions, while domestic cats were linked with negative predictions. For skin tumors, Norwegian Forest Cats, Devon Rex and Sphynx cats, and Maine Coon cats were associated with positive predictions, whereas Birman and domestic cats were linked with negative predictions.

Conclusions: This study presents a method of machine learning predictive analysis on pet insurance data, although more comprehensive medical information and approaches accounting for data characteristics may be necessary to develop clearer predictors.

Clinical relevance: To prevent or detect these conditions early, veterinarians can use the breed risk results to guide clients, especially those with high-risk breeds, by offering early advice on lifestyle and monitoring.

Objective: To determine if ACTH, cortisol, arginine vasopressin (AVP), ghrelin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and substance P (SP) blood biomarkers associated with nausea in humans have similar associations in dogs.

Methods: 7 healthy, mixed hound dogs were nausea scored using videotaped observations, and concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, AVP, ghrelin, 5-HIAA, and SP were measured in blood at baseline, after 0.5 mg/kg, IM, morphine administration, and following administration of the treatment drug. Data collection occurred from October 20 through November 24, 2023. Treatments were saline 0.1 mL/kg (S) and propofol 0.5 mg/kg (P1), 1.0 mg/kg (P2), and 1.5 mg/kg (P3) administered IV 20 minutes after morphine administration using a randomized, crossover design with a 7-day washout between treatments.

Results: Nausea scores increased at 5 minutes and over time in all treatments. Adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations were lower in P2 versus P1, P2 versus S, and P3 versus S at the 50-minute time point. At 50 minutes, cortisol concentrations were lower in P3 versus S, P2 versus S, and P3 versus P1. There were no statistically significant differences in AVP, ghrelin, 5-HIAA, or SP concentrations between treatments or over time.

Conclusions: AVP, ghrelin, 5-HIAA, and SP did not correlate with nausea signs in dogs. Additionally, propofol, at the subhypnotic doses administered, did not significantly decrease signs of nausea.

Clinical relevance: ACTH and cortisol, but not AVP, ghrelin, 5-HIAA, and SP, concentrations appeared to be associated with signs of nausea in dogs. Propofol was not effective at decreasing signs of nausea at the administered dosages.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading infectious disease in cattle, resulting in significant economic losses and welfare concerns in beef and dairy production systems. Traditional diagnostic methods for BRD typically rely on clinical observations and diagnostic laboratory tests, which can be time consuming with moderate diagnostic sensitivity. In recent years, machine learning (ML) and AI have emerged as powerful tools in animal health research, offering opportunities for improving BRD diagnostics and management. This review explores the current landscape of published literature on the use of ML and AI in BRD prevention, diagnostics, and classification. First, disease classification and pathogen identification models leveraging supervised models and metagenomic sequencing have identified specific community structure information in classifying specific BRD cases. From epidemiological datasets tracking disease outbreaks and risk factors, user-friendly platforms for producers and veterinarians are capable of being generated and deployed, providing customized scenarios, potential economic impacts, and pathogenic effects as a decision-support tool. Veterinarian-operated technologies, such as computer-aided lung auscultation stethoscopes, can automatically calculate lung scores and associated BRD severity likelihoods. Prediction and detection models used to leverage physical characteristics and feed consumption data provide novel methods of categorizing BRD risk. Finally, sensor technology monitoring behavioral or motion-based information provides continuous data on animal health and can enable early automated detection of BRD symptoms. Through synthesizing research in these key areas, this narrative review highlights the transformative potential of AI and ML in improving the accuracy, speed, and efficiency of BRD diagnostics, enhancing disease control and cattle welfare.

Objective: To achieve clinical recovery in canine atopic dermatitis affected pet dogs via alteration of the gut microbiome, following a meat and egg exclusion diet for 60 days.

Methods: 24 atopic dermatitis-affected pet dogs, all fed poultry meat and egg, and another 48 apparently healthy controls fed both poultry meat and egg (n = 24) or vegetable diet (24) were included in the study. The study was undertaken in the Bhubaneswar Smart City, Odisha, India, from July to December 2023. Fecal samples were collected at 2 points for DNA analysis, ie, on day 0 and day 60 of the change from a meat/egg-based diet to a vegetable-based diet. Extracted DNA samples were pooled category-wise and subjected to the gut microbiome analysis in the Nanopore sequencer targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Burrows-Wheeler Transform, Ferragina-Manzini index, and Krona charts were used for taxonomical classification and visualization of relative abundances of bacterial species within the metagenome. Alpha- and beta-diversity analyses were performed.

Results: Atopic pets at day 0 showed elevation in the gut microbiome population with an adequate concentration of pathogens like Escherichia coli and Clostridiodes difficile with lower amounts of the beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus sp, while the pets at 60 days after dietary intervention showed a significant decline in bacterial species like E coli and C difficile with higher amount of Lactobacillus sp. Both control groups showed variations of microbiome between them as well as from the atopic pets.

Conclusions: We found a close association of poultry meat/egg diet with gut microbiome population and atopic symptoms as well in dogs, and elimination of such diet could be helpful in clinical recovery.

Clinical relevance: Dietary intervention with the exclusion of potential allergens from poultry meat and egg sources can be an effective approach for the management of canine atopic dermatitis.

Objective: To investigate indicators of mobility, inflammation, and cartilage remodeling in Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) treated with manual acupuncture compared to 2 different comparator acupuncture groups.

Methods: 12-month-old male Hartleys were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 in vivo experimental groups that received manual acupuncture, needle sheath taps on corresponding acupoints, or off-point acupuncture. Treatments were performed under isoflurane once weekly for 3 weeks, and open-field enclosure monitoring was performed at the same frequency. After final treatments, all animals were euthanized, blood was collected for inflammatory marker analysis, and tissues were collected for histology, immunohistochemistry, and transcript expression analysis.

Results: 18 animals were involved: 6 per experimental group. Serum concentrations of complement component 3 and prostaglandin E2 were significantly decreased in the acupuncture group (P < .05). Muscle from acupoint stomach-36 had 6 gene transcripts with altered expressions in the manual acupuncture group compared to comparators. From cartilage/menisci, manual acupuncture resulted in the downregulation of 13 gene transcripts. Nerve growth factor (NGF) immunostaining in all 3 layers of articular cartilage of the medial tibial plateau was greater in the manual acupuncture group relative to the comparator groups. There were no differences in enclosure monitoring parameters or histologic grading.

Conclusions: Appreciable changes in voluntary mobility, behavioral or serum biochemical parameters, or stifle histological structure were not seen. Differences in serum inflammatory proteins, the gene expression of cartilage-remodeling transcripts, and NGF protein concentrations in cartilage were elucidated.

Clinical relevance: The short duration of manual acupuncture showed the initiation of beneficial regenerative and remodeling processes.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of routine preanesthetic screening thoracic radiographs in dogs without a specific clinical indication for this test.

Methods: All patients presented for elective tibial plateau leveling osteotomy between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, were enrolled if there were no clinical signs or history of neoplasia or cardiopulmonary or thoracic disease. Three-view thoracic radiographic studies were performed and evaluated by the attending surgeon and a board-certified veterinary radiologist. The incidence of radiographic abnormalities and agreement between the attending clinician and the radiologist were analyzed.

Results: Of the 281 cases evaluated in this study, 10 (3.6%) were found to have radiographic abnormalities that were likely to affect the clinician's decision to proceed with elective surgery. There was no association between patient age and the probability of diagnosing a significant radiographic abnormality. There was poor agreement between the findings of the clinician and radiologist for cardiovascular and pulmonary abnormalities. There was slight agreement between the findings of the clinician and the radiologist for extrathoracic abnormalities.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that the utility of preoperative screening thoracic radiographs in dogs with no specific clinical indications for this test appears to be low. Given the poor agreement between clinician and radiologist findings, clinicians should consider routine evaluation of thoracic radiographs by a radiologist.

Clinical relevance: These findings should be considered by a clinician when deciding whether to recommend thoracic radiographs as a screening tool for a patient without history or physical examination findings suggestive of intrathoracic disease.

Objective: To evaluate plume composition during simulated diode laser equine upper airway surgery.

Methods: A 980-nm diode laser fiber was applied in continuous-wave mode in contact with laryngeal and pharyngeal tissues of 6 equine cadaver heads, and resultant plumes were collected for analysis. Measured parameters included the real-time concentration of particulate matter under the size of 2.5 μm (PM2.5), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Results: Visible smoke was encountered during surgical laser application and plume collection. Diode laser median activation time was 326 seconds (IQR, 116 to 387 seconds), and median energy was 8,099 J (IQR, 2,721 to 9,110 J). Mean real-time PM2.5 concentrations during laser procedures exceeded 5 mg/m3 throughout. Organic carbon concentrations were much higher than EC concentrations in the surgical plume, with a median OC/EC ratio of 422. Fifty-five individual VOCs were identified. All measured surgical plume components were higher than control samples.

Conclusions: The evaluation of surgical plumes collected during simulated upper airway diode laser surgery revealed high levels of harmful fine particulate matter PM2.5 exceeding Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. Increased OC and OC/EC ratio were also observed. Surgical plumes contained VOCs, including the known carcinogenic compounds benzene and toluene.

Clinical relevance: These data suggest the need for mitigation strategies, such as specialized masks or local exhaust ventilation, to decrease the exposure of personnel to plumes generated during equine upper airway laser surgery.

Objective: To compare the biomechanical properties of standard-of-care limb salvage stainless steel plates with metal endoprosthesis constructs to constructs without endoprosthesis.

Methods: This was a cadaveric biomechanical study including 5 pairs of normal canine thoracic limbs randomly allocated into 2 groups: limbs with a second-generation, 11.5-mm Veterinary Orthopedic Implants stainless steel plate and a 122-mm stainless steel with endoprosthesis (SS-E) and limbs without endoprostheses or stainless steel with a gap (SS-G). Standard limb-spare surgery was performed and reconstructed with or without endoprostheses (ie, gap). Limbs were tested in axial loading until failure, and load-deformation curves were used to determine the biomechanical properties of the constructs, compared using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Failure modes were compared descriptively.

Results: Yield load (644 ± 523 N and 288 ± 153 N), yield energy absorbed (1,126 ± 1,695 N/mm and 239 ± 251 N/mm), and ultimate energy absorbed (39,732 ± 11,679 N/mm and 5,175 ± 878 N/mm) were significantly different between the SS-E and SS-G groups, respectively. Stiffness (360 ± 64 N/mm and 180 ± 50 N/mm) and ultimate load (3,385 ± 512 N and 747 ± 98 N) were not. The mode of failure varied between groups, with 2 SS-E constructs failing by humeral fracture and 3 by plate bending at the most distal radial or radiocarpal screw holes, whereas all SS-G constructs failed by plate bending midgap.

Conclusions: Limbs incorporating endoprosthesis were biomechanically superior to limbs reconstructed with a gap.

Clinical relevance: Limbs reconstructed with locking 11.5-mm Veterinary Orthopedic Implants plates without endoprosthesis may fail at physiological forces during trot or run.

Objective: To develop a protocol for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation testing in psittacine birds using a thyrotropin alfa (Thyrogen; Sanofi).

Methods: Quaker parrots (Myopsitta monachus) were randomized to receive an IM injection of freshly reconstituted high-dose recombinant human TSH (rhTSH; 8 parrots), frozen high-dose rhTSH (8), frozen low-dose rhTSH (8), or saline (8). Total T4 (TT4), free T4 (FT4), T3, and TSH were measured pre- and 4 hours postinjection.

Results: TSH stimulation testing was completed in 31 of the 32 birds. Thyroid-stimulating hormone measurement confirmed proper administration of rhTSH. Median TT4 at baseline in the population was 0.14 μg/dL (range, 0.03 to 0.33 µg/dL). Poststimulation, the median TT4 in rhTSH-treated parrots was 1.31 µg/dL (0.29 to 1.98 µg/dL) versus 0.09 µg/dL (0.04 to 0.14 µg/dL) in control parrots. All parrots administered rhTSH had an increase in TT4 (minimum, 3.5-fold) and FT4 (minimum, 2.2-fold) from baseline but not in T3. Parrots administered saline had no increase in TT4, FT4, or T3. Postinjection concentrations of TT4, but not of FT4 or T3, showed no overlap between controls and rhTSH-treated parrots.

Conclusions: TSH stimulation testing performed with fresh and frozen rhTSH for 3 months is feasible and safe and results in a significant increase in TT4 in Quaker parrots. Total T4 should be the preferred outcome measure for TSH stimulation testing in parrots.

Clinical relevance: Thyrogen can be used at doses as low as 0.01 mL (73 µg/kg) for TSH stimulation tests in Quaker parrots and can be frozen in aliquots to perform more tests per vial.

Objective: To develop and define a model of acute neck pain in an equine cervical articular process joint (APJ) using recombinant equine IL-1β (reIL-1β).

Methods: 12 horses in this experimental study received a randomly assigned, unilateral intra-articular injection of 50 ng (n = 6) or 100 ng (n = 6) of reIL-1β and saline (contralateral side as control) into the C5-to-C6 APJ. Blinded ultrasonographic, clinical, and biomechanical parameters were evaluated between 4 hours and 14 days.

Results: There was a significant increase in APJ effusion on ultrasonographic examination that peaked at 24 hours (P = .0256; effect size, 0.8312; CI, 1.0594 to 0.629). There was a time effect on the clinical examination score (myofascial pain and stiffness) and a significant decrease in stride length and velocity at 24 hours. There was an adverse event (extravasation of injectate) in 1 horse.

Conclusions: Ultrasonographic evidence of the presence and severity of APJ effusion was readily identified and tracked over time. Unilateral injection of the APJ with reIL-1β induced clinical signs of myofascial pain, neck stiffness, and gait adaptations. Using individual control horses, rather than a contralateral saline injection within the same horse, would improve our understanding of the clinical presentation of acute APJ pain using this model.

Clinical relevance: Diagnosing the presence, localization, and clinical effects of neck pain in horses remains challenging and would benefit from the establishment of an experimental model. The induction of acute synovitis using reIL-1β within the C5-to-C6 APJ opens the door for future studies to ultimately better understand equine cervical pain and dysfunction.