BACKGROUND Real-time quantitative PCR can be a very powerful and accurate technique to examine gene transcription patterns in different biological conditions. One of the critical steps in comparing transcription profiles is accurate normalisation. In most of the studies published on real-time PCR in horses, normalisation occurred against only one reference gene, usually GAPDH or ACTB, without v...

Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu Tampere University of Applied Sciences Degree Programme in Social services HIRVONEN, MIIA: Equine Assisted Activities in Finland – The current situation from the point of view of the people working in the field Bachelor’s thesis 53 pages, appendixes 17 pages February 2010 The topic of this Bachelor’s Thesis is Equine Assisted Activities in Finland – The current situ...

Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a contagious viral disease of equids caused by equine arteritis virus (EAV), an RNA virus that is classified in the family Arteriviridae. The virus is found in horse populations in many countries worldwide. EVA cannot be differentiated clinically from a number of other respiratory and systemic equine diseases. While laboratory-confirmed outbreaks of EVA have been...

Background Bone marrow and adipose tissue are two main sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Some of studies suggest that there are some differences in gene expression profile of MSCs-derived from various tissues. To investigate gene expression profile by qRT-PCR, an appropriate reference gene with stable expression level should be chosen for normalizing data.  This study was designed to e...

Summary Alphaviral equine encephalomyelitis is a mosquito-borne infection that causes severe neurological disease and fatalities in horses and humans in the Americas. Consequently, the equine alphaviruses (Eastern, Western and Venezuelan) are of considerable concern worldwide and are notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health. In addition, these diseases are considered a potent pote...

Copy number variants (CNVs) have dynamic potential and evolutionary significance like other genetic variants, namely, single nucleotide polymorphisms, InDels, short tandem repeat inversion etc. Discovering CNVs leads to further speculation that the genomic DNA contains more changes than previously thought contributes phenotypic variation. are big fragments (> 1 kb) being duplicated or delete...

In this comparative study, we have established in vitro models of equine and elephant articular chondrocytes, examined their basic morphology, and characterized the biophysical properties of their primary voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv) currents. Using whole cell patch-clamp electrophysiological recording from first-expansion and first-passage cells, we measured a maximum Kv conductance of...

Conjugated equine estrogen therapy is the most common hormone replacement strategy used to treat postmenopausal women. However, the ability of an individual conjugated equine estrogen to modulate NO production and, therefore, to induce cardiovascular protection is largely unknown. The effects of equine and naturally occurring estrogens on NO generation were evaluated in human aortic endothelial...

Cloning is one of several new assisted reproductive techniques being developed for clinical use in the equine industry. Potential uses of equine cloning include: (1) the preservation of genetics from individual animals that would otherwise not be able to reproduce, such as geldings; (2) the preservation of genetic material of endangered and/or exotic species, such as the Mongolian wild horse (P...

In August 2007, an outbreak of equine influenza occurred among vaccinated racehorses with Japanese commercial equine influenza vaccine at Kanazawa Racecourse in Ishikawa prefecture in Japan. Apparent symptoms were pyrexia (38.2-41.0 degrees C) and nasal discharge with or without coughing, although approximately half of the infected horses were subclinical. All horses had been shot with a vaccin...