• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.354-359
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• 2023

This case report describes the clinical presentation and successful surgical repair of a diaphragmatic hernia-related small intestinal strangulation in a neonatal foal. A nine-day-old foal presented with colic signs and respiratory distress. History taking showed that the dam of the foal experienced difficulty during delivery, and the owner assisted in delivery by pulling on the foal. Radiography and ultrasonography confirmed the diaphragmatic rent and the presence of a small intestine within the thoracic cavity. Surgical intervention was required to repair the diaphragmatic defect and address the intestinal strangulation. The diaphragm was reconstructed, and the nonviable incarcerated portion of the small intestine was resected and anastomosed using an end-to-end technique. This unusual case report provides insights into the surgical repair and outcomes of an acquired diaphragmatic hernia in a neonatal foal.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 2020

The aim of the study was to investigate the seroprevalence of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and type 4 (EHV-4), equine influenza virus (EIV), and Streptococcus (S.) equi subspecies equi in the horse population of Jeju. Serum samples were taken from 71 horses, regularly vaccinated with EHV-1 and strangles twice (April and November) a year. In April 2014, seropositive rates of EHV-1 and strangles were 24.5% and 84.5%, while in November, were 26.8% and 62.0%, respectively. A total of 1,144 serum samples, including Jeju native horses, Halla horses, and Thoroughbred horses were collected from slaughter house for 4 years (2014 to 2017) and it is unclear the animals were vaccinated or not. The seropositive rates in Jeju was 21.9% (250/l,144) for EHV-1, 96.4% (1,103/1,144) for EHV-4, 14.6% (129/882) for EIV, and 79.3% (879/1,108) for strangles. The seropositive rate was the highest in Thoroughbred, but lowest in Hala horse.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.735-743
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• 2018

We investigated the effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 ($TGF-{\beta}1$) on equine hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) gene expression and hyaluronan (HA) synthesis in culture models of articular chondrocytes. Equine chondrocytes were treated with $TGF-{\beta}1$ at different concentrations and times in monolayer cultures. In three-dimensional cultures, chondrocyte-seeded gelatin scaffolds were cultured in chondrogenic media containing 10 ng/mL of $TGF-{\beta}1$. The amounts of HA in conditioned media and in scaffolds were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. HAS2 mRNA expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The uronic acid content and DNA content of the scaffolds were measured by using colorimetric and Hoechst 33258 assays, respectively. Cell proliferation was evaluated by using the alamarBlue assay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), histology, and immunohistochemistry were used for microscopic analysis of the samples. The upregulation of HAS2 mRNA levels by $TGF-{\beta}1$ stimulation was dose and time dependent. $TGF-{\beta}1$ was shown to enhance HA and uronic acid content in the scaffolds. Cell proliferation and DNA content were significantly lower in $TGF-{\beta}1$ treatments. SEM and histological results revealed the formation of a cartilaginous-like extracellular matrix in the $TGF-{\beta}1$-treated scaffolds. Together, our results suggest that $TGF-{\beta}1$ has a stimulatory effect on equine chondrocytes, enhancing HA synthesis and promoting cartilage matrix generation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.120-129
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• 2021

Rotavirus A (RVA) is recognized as a major etiology responsible for the development of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. The purpose of the present study was to perform the molecular characterization of RVA. A total of 323 stool specimens collected from hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Rai, Thailand, in 2016-2018 were identified for G- and P-genotypes through RT-PCR analysis. RVA was more prevalent in 2017-2018 (37.8%) than in 2016-2017 (23.2%). The seasonal peak of RVA occurred from March to April. G3P[8] was predominant in 2016-2017 (90.6%) and 2017-2018 (58.6%). Other genotypes including G1P[8], G8P[8], G9P[8], and mixed infections were also identified. G3P[8] strains clustered together in the same lineage with other novel human equine-like G3P[8] strains previously identified in multiple countries and presented a genotype 2 constellation (G3-P[8]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2). Several amino acid differences were observed in the antigenic epitopes of the VP7 and VP8* capsid proteins of the equine-like G3P[8] compared with those of the RVA vaccine strains. The homology modeling of the VP7 and VP8* capsid proteins of the equine-like G3P[8] strains evidently exhibited that these residue differences were present on the surface-exposed area of the capsid structure. The emergence of the equine-like G3P[8] strains in Thailand indicates the rapid spread of strains with human and animal gene segments. Continuous surveillance for RVA is essential to monitor genotypes and genetic diversity, which will provide useful information for selecting rotavirus strains to develop a safe and effective RVA vaccine that is efficacious against multiple genotypes and variants.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.87-93
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• 2000

Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) consists of highly glycosylated noncovalently linked $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunits and belongs to the glycoprotein hormone family that includes lutropin (LH), follitropin (FSH), and thyrotropin (FSH). eCG is a unique member of the gonadotropin family because it elicits response characteristics of both FSH and LH in other species than the hone. eCG is synthesized and secreted by trophoblastic cells of the endometial cups between 40 and 130 days of gestation. In the present study, mRNA expression ratio of eCG, eLH and eFSH $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunints was investigated in the placenta and pituitary. mRNA was extracted from equine placenta on day 70 of gestation and from pituitary of male horse (27 month-old). When the expression of both subunit mRNAs of eCG in the equine placenta was compared by Northern blotting, the expression of the $\beta$ -subunit mRNA was relatively greater than that of the $\alpha$-subunit. And mRNA expression of $\alpha$-, LH $\beta$- and FSH $\beta$-subunits was analysed in the equine pituitary. An $\alpha$-subunit was revealed with a size of approximately 0.8 kb. FSH $\beta$-subunit mRNA also was detected out 1.8 kb. It is the same size of the FSH $\beta$ -subunit mRNA cloned. The intensity of $\alpha$-subunit mRNA was greater than that of the $\beta$-subunit suggesting that the expression of $\alpha$ -subunit was dominant in the equine anterior pituitary. Thus, the subunit mRNA levels seem to be independently regulated and their imbalance may account for differences in the quantities of $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunits in the equine placenta and pituitary.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1156-1162
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• 2011

Equine coital exanthema caused by equine herpesvirus type 3 (EHV-3) is a venereal disease which seriously drops horse reproduction rates. Here, we isolated EHV-3 from infected horses and investigated their biological characteristics. Initial cytopathic effects such as rounding of cells were detected 48 hours post infection of the virus into RK-13 cells. The infected cells were going to detach from the surface of culture flasks 72 hours post infection. The type of isolated viruses from swabbed samples was EHV-3 by PCR analysis. Glycoprotein G (gG) of isolated EHV-3 has a 99.25 percent similarity rate to that of EHV-3 334/74 control strain. The isolated EHV-3 was named Georo strain. Georo strain consisted of four major proteins including 145 kD, 60 kD, 45 kD and 40 kD, as shown by SDS-PAGE analysis. We hope the newly isolated Georo strain of EHV-3 can be used for studying various aspects of Korean equine coital exanthema.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2015

Equine colic is a major concern in equine industry due to high morbidity and mortality rates. The purpose of this study was to establish mortality rates during medically and surgically treated colic and to identify potential prognostic indicators for mortality of equine colic in Korea. The overall mortality rate was 18/119 (15%). The 93 cases (78%) were treated medically and 26 cases (22%) surgically out of the 119 records reviewed. The mortality rate in small intestinal lesion was 7/9 (78%) and strangulating lesion was 10/11 (91%). The significance between individual factors and prognosis of equine colic was not valid but high frequency rate was found in ${\leq}3$ years age (59%) and male (50%). In dead group showed higher, rectal temperature and heart rate than those of survived group. The mortality rate was significantly high in the pale mucous membrane color and severe pain and decreased intestinal motility. In laboratory factors, dead group showed lower level of platelet than survived group, and had higher values of RBC, hemoglobin, PCV with significance (P < 0.05). Group with increased enzyme activity of CK, LDH, glucose showed poor prognosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.1165-1176
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• 2019

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), produced by Clostridium botulinum, are the most toxic substances known. However, the number of currently approved medical countermeasures for these toxins is very limited. Therefore, studies on therapeutic antitoxins are essential to prepare for toxin-related emergencies. Currently, more than 10,000 Halla horses, a crossbreed between the native Jeju and Thoroughbred horses, are being raised in Jeju Island of Korea. They can be used for equine antitoxin experiments and production of hyperimmune serum against BoNT/A1. Instead of the inactivated BoNT/A1 toxoid, Halla horse was immunized with the receptor-binding domain present in the C-terminus of heavy chain of BoNT/A1 (BoNT/A1-HCR) expressed in Escherichia coli. The anti-BoNT/A1-HCR antibody titer increased rapidly by week 4, and this level was maintained for several weeks after boosting immunization. Notably, $20{\mu}l$ of the week-24 BoNT/A1-HCR(-immunized) equine serum showed an in vitro neutralizing activity of over 8 international units (IU) of a reference equine antitoxin. Furthermore, $20{\mu}l$ of equine serum and $100{\mu}g$ of purified equine $F(ab^{\prime})_2$ showed 100% neutralization of 10,000 $LD_{50}$ in vivo. The results of this study shall contribute towards optimizing antitoxin production for BoNT/A1, which is essential for emergency preparedness and response.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.157-165
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• 2019

This study was conducted to analyze the diversity census of fecal microbiome in horses using meta-analysis of equine 16S rRNA gene sequences that are available in the Ribosomal Database Project (RDP; Release 11, Update 5). The search terms used were "horse feces (or faeces)" and "equine feces (or faeces)". A total of 842 sequences of equine feces origin were retrieved from the RDP database, where 744 sequences were assigned to 10 phyla placed within Domain Bacteria. Firmicutes (n = 391) and Bacteroidetes (n = 203) were the first and the second dominant phyla, respectively, followed by Verrucomicrobia (n = 58), Proteobacteria (n = 30) and Fibrobacteres (n = 24). Clostridia (n = 319) was the first dominant class placed within Bacteroidetes while Bacteroidia (n = 174) was the second dominant class placed within Bacteroidetes. The remaining 98 sequences were assigned to phylum Euryarchaeota placed within Domain Archaea, where 74 sequences were assigned to class Methanomicrobia. The current results will improve understanding of the diversity of fecal microbiome in horses and may be used to further analyze equine fecal microbiome in future studies.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.735-741
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• 1995

The present study was conducted to investigate the incidence of equine herpesvirus 1(EHV-1) infection in Korean horses by cell EUSA and serum neutralization test A significant level of antibodies to EHV-1 was detected from 539(82.8%) by cell EUSA and from 524 horses(80.5%) by SNT indicating that EHV-1 infection in Korean horses are widely spreaded throughout the country.