Mirja Ruohoniemi

Abdominal radiography in monitoring the resolution of sand accumulations from the large colon of horses treated medically.

This retrospective study consisted of 14 horses (age 6 weeks-12 years) with radiographically evident sand accumulations cranioventrally in the abdomen and clinical signs suggestive of sand enteropathy. The horses were treated medically and resolution of sand was monitored radiographically. Routine treatment consisted of psyllium mucilloid, combined with magnesium sulphate and/or mineral oilif needed. Initially, the number, size and shape of the sand accumulations showed large variation and the response to therapy was not predictable based on the initial appearance of the accumulation. In 2 foals, some of the sand was passed and the rest was mixed with other intestinal contents within 2-4 days. Even large accumulations disappeared in 2-4 days with psyllium alone or combined with mineral oil in 4 horses. In another 4 horses, the size of the accumulations decreased but varying amounts remained approximately at the same site, despite treatment for 1-4 weeks, and all these horses also had either gastric or large colon impaction. Three horses had a limited response to psyllium treatment, but the accumulation resolved with repeated doses of magnesium sulphate, with or without mineral oil. One horse did not respond to prolonged laxative treatment but the accumulation resolved on pasture. Clinical improvement was not necessarily related to the resolution of sand. Radiography of the cranioventral abdomen was found to be a useful means for monitoring the resolution of sand and confirming the effect of medical treatment in removing sand from the large colon in the horse.

Reliability of ultrasonography compared to radiography in revealing intestinal sand accumulations in horses.

In order to investigate the reliability of ultrasonography in revealing intestinal sand accumulations, the cranioventral parts of the abdomen of 32 horses (age 3-20 years) with signs suggestive of gastrointestinal sand were examined radiographically and ultrasonographically. The amount of sand and its localisation, relative to the ventral abdominal wall, were evaluated radiographically and graded (scale 0-4). Motility of the intestine and whether it was lying against the ventral abdominal wall were evaluated ultrasonographically and the findings summed and graded (scale 0-3) to express the likelihood of the presence of sand. The ultrasonographic and radiographic grades were significantly associated. Out of 14 horses with a moderate or large ventral sand accumulation radiographically, 13 (92.9%) had a positive sand finding ultrasonographically. Out of 8 horses with no signs of sand radiographically, 7 were considered negative for sand ultrasonographically. The specificity of ultrasonography in detecting sand accumulations was 87.5% (7/8) and the sensitivity 87.5% (21/24). Small and more dorsally located accumulations were more difficult to detect ultrasonographically. Of the horses with a small or moderate amount of sand relatively ventrally or only a small part of sand close to the ventral abdominal wall, 70% (7/10) were considered suggestive or positive for sand ultrasonographically. The ventral aspect of sand accumulations was hyperechoic, causing varying acoustic shadowing and the intestine had decreased or absent motility. Ultrasonography revealed the length of the accumulations but gave very limited information of their height. Ultrasonography is a practical and reliable method for detecting sand accumulations but it cannot replace radiography.

“I Study Because I’m Interested”: University Students’ Explanations for Their Disciplinary Choices

This article explores how new university students in three different fields of study—arts, law and veterinary medicine—explain their own disciplinary choices (n = 536). Despite the differences between the study fields, the new students’ answers often included the word “interest”. Because interest is linked to high‐quality learning, the students seem to have a good starting point for their studies. On the other hand, the students use the concept of interest in several contexts, which may reflect diverse usage of the construct as well as different levels of interest development. On the basis of student expressions, five subcategories specifying the level of interest were identified. The study shows that it is possible to identify aspects of individual interest from the rather short written explanations of disciplinary choices.

Clinical significance of ossification of the cartilages of the front feet based on nuclear bone scintigraphy, radiography and lameness examinations in 21 Finnhorses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Research on the clinical significance of ossification of the cartilages of the foot has been limited, despite the common nature of the condition and conflicting reports in previous literature. HYPOTHESIS Some radiographic features in the ossification of the cartilages, such as incomplete fusion lines between separate centres of ossification and the ossified base, are of clinical significance. METHODS The relationships between radiopharmaceutical uptake in bone phase nuclear scintigraphy at the heels (palmar processes of the distal phalanx, including ossification of the cartilages of the foot), radiographic extent and type of ossification of the cartilages and clinical lameness were evaluated retrospectively in 21 Finnhorses (age > or = 4 years) in a total of 36 front feet. RESULTS No significant relationship between height of the ossifications and radiopharmaceutical uptake at the ipsilateral heels existed. Clearly separate centres of ossification were not associated with increased uptake. Moderately increased uptake was suspected to be associated with ossification of the adjacent cartilage in only one foot. Intense uptake was present unilaterally in 4 horses, at one medial and 3 lateral heels. In 2 of these horses, a unilateral palmar digital nerve block relieved the mild lameness; 2 horses had no obvious lameness but had a history of being stiff or having locomotion problems during high speed trot. At 2 of the lateral heels, an incomplete fusion line was present between a large separate centre of ossification and the base, and the third horse had a high sidebone with bony protrusions, suggestive of chronic entheseopathy in a narrow foot. At the medial heel, an oblique radiograph revealed a faint radiolucent line at the base of the ossification. In all cartilages with intense radiopharmaceutical uptake at the heel and/or lameness, the ossified part of the cartilage was wider and more irregular compared to other ossifications of the front feet of the individual. CONCLUSIONS Increased radiopharmaceutical uptake, associated with a different radiographic appearance from that of other ossifications of the front feet, was a conclusive sign of clinical significance. Obscure locomotion problems were more commonly associated with ossification of the cartilages than true lameness. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE This information is useful in lameness and prepurchase examinations and is likely also to be applicable to other coldblooded breeds used for athletic purposes.

The role of individual interest and future goals during the first years of university studies

In this study, 28 university students from two different fields – the humanities and veterinary medicine – were interviewed. The aim was to explore the role of individual interest and future goals during the first two years of university study through retrospective interviews. The results showed that, while support from the learning environment was necessary, in most cases study had to some degree been based on individual interest. A heavy workload was found to hinder interest-based studying in veterinary medicine, whereas clear future goals helped these students to remain committed. Even though individual interest played an important role in the humanities, a lack of future goals diminished students’ commitment to their studies.

Plasma levels of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) and β-endorphin as indicators of stress, pain and prognosis in horses with colic.

A prospective observational study was performed to evaluate whether the plasma concentration of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) or beta-endorphin is related to clinical signs, blood chemistry, or severity of pain of colic. Seventy-seven horses with colic and 15 clinically healthy controls were studied. The horses were divided into four groups which reflected increasing severity of colic, from normal control horses to horses with mild, moderate and severe colic. Blood samples were collected before any treatment. Packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma HSP72, beta-endorphin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and lactate concentrations were measured. Plasma beta-endorphin was related with severity of colic and survival, as well as with plasma cortisol, ACTH and lactate concentrations, heart rate, PCV and pain score. High plasma HSP72 concentration may indicate circulatory deficits, but was not associated with clinical signs of colic. Plasma lactate still seemed to be the most useful single prognostic parameter in horses with colic.

Quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic analysis of perfusion in the kidneys, liver, pancreas, small intestine, and mesenteric lymph nodes in healthy cats.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate perfusion of abdominal organs in healthy cats by use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. ANIMALS 10 young healthy anesthetized cats. PROCEDURES Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of the liver, left kidney, pancreas, small intestine, and mesenteric lymph nodes was performed on anesthetized cats. RESULTS Typical perfusion patterns were found for each of the studied organs. Differences in perfusion among organs were associated with specific physiologic features. The liver was enhanced gradually and had a more heterogeneous perfusion pattern because of its dual blood supply and close proximity to the diaphragm, compared with other organs. An obvious and significant difference in perfusion was detected between the renal cortex and medulla. No significant differences in perfusion were detected among the pancreas, small intestine, and mesenteric lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that contrast-enhanced ultrasonography can be used in cats to estimate organ perfusion as in other species. Observed differences in perfusion variables can be mostly explained by physiologic differences in vascularity.

Estimates of heritability for ossification of the cartilages of the front feet in the Finnhorse

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Ossification of the cartilages in the foot is common in coldblooded horses, but prevalence as well as ossification pattern varies between breeds; research on estimation of heritability for the condition has been limited. OBJECTIVES Our purpose was to calculate estimates of 1) heritability for ossification parameters of the cartilages in the front feet of the Finnhorse and 2) genetic correlations between the different ossification parameters. METHODS Estimates of heritability for different ossification parameters of the cartilages in the front feet and of genetic correlations between different parameters were evaluated in data consisting of dorsopalmar radiographs of the front feet and pedigree up to the fourth generation of 964 Finnhorses (age > or = 2 years; 345 females and 619 males). Ossification at the base of the cartilages and total ossification, including separate centres of ossification, were graded 0-5 according to the most proximal point of ossification and the presence of separate centres of ossification was recorded separately. The data were analysed using a model including a fixed sex-age subclass effect and a random animal effect. Variance and covariance components were estimated with the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method assuming an animal model. RESULTS Females had more ossification than males and this difference increased with age. The ossification in the medial cartilages progressed significantly with age in females but not in males. In the lateral cartilages, the increase in ossification with age was evident in both sexes. Separate centres of ossification were an incidental finding. Estimates of heritability for the ossification parameters varied slightly between the cartilages as well as between the front feet. For total ossification, the estimates of heritability varied between 0.31 (right lateral) and 0.50 (left medial) and were slightly higher for ossification at the base of the cartilages. High genetic correlations were found for total ossification between the medial and lateral cartilages in the foot and for parallel ossification parameters between the right and left foot. CONCLUSIONS The estimates of heritability were relatively high, and both cartilages and front feet have a similar genetic tendency to ossify. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE This information is useful in further studies assessing other factors contributing to the ossification process and also in the planning and modifying breeding programmes.

Ossification of the cartilages in the front feet of young Norwegian coldblooded horses

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the nature of ossification of the cartilages in the front feet of young, about 2-year-old Norwegian coldblooded horses, and to compare offspring of different sires in this respect. Dorsopalmar radiographs of the front feet of 392 horses (187 female and 205 male) were evaluated for ossification at the base of the cartilage and for separate centres of ossification. The horses were offspring of 45 different sires. Ossification extending above the navicular bone and separate centres of ossification were considered as significant. Minimal to mild ossification at the base of the cartilages was commonly seen, and significant ossification was present in one or more of the cartilages in 11.5% of the horses. The lateral compared to medial cartilages had more ossification and females had more ossification and more separate centres of ossification than males. The prevalence of horses with significant ossifications was significantly higher (46.3%) among offspring of one frequently used stallion than in the group consisting of offspring of 4 other popular stallions (3.5%) and in another group consisting of offspring of other, less frequently used stallions (9.6%). Ossification of the cartilages is considered to have a hereditary background in Norwegian coldblooded horses.

Factors affecting the study pace of first-year law students: in search of study counselling tools

This study explores factors affecting the study pace of law students during their first academic year. The participants comprised two student groups: those whose number of study credits were the lowest and highest. Altogether, 25 students (11 with a slow and 14 with a fast study pace) were interviewed. The factors affecting study pace mentioned by the students were the same in both groups and could be classified into five categories: motivation, behaviour, cognition, context and other involvements. The group of fast study pace students turned out to be fairly homogeneous. They were highly motivated, planned and organised their study schedules accurately, used various study strategies and had good metacognitive skills. On the contrary, the group of slow study pace students showed more individual variation. Lack of volition and difficulties in time management were the most typical weaknesses of the slow study pace students.