Phaidra - University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
Not a member yet
3528 research outputs found
Sort by
Mixed-method analysis of published national one health strategic plans
No full textIn this article, we used a mixed analytical framework to assess existing National One Health Strategic Plans (NOHSPs) and evaluate their alignment with recognized One Health principles. Eight NOHSPs were examined following a qualitative content analysis and key One Health characteristics were identified. Quantitative text analysis was performed to assess unigrams and bigrams frequencies across the NOHSPs. Network analysis was conducted to explore the conceptual relationships surrounding the term "health" in each document. Results revealed varying levels of alignment with contemporary One Health principles. Notably, while all plans recognized the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and environmental health, specific actions were inconsistently anticipated. Additionally, disparities in addressing issues such as climate change, anthropogenic drivers, and non-communicable diseases were evident. Overall, the study offers insights into the strengths and gaps in existing NOHSPs. Moreover, it provides a flexible analytical framework to guide stakeholders in developing and evaluating future One Health initiatives
Exploring the proton transport mechanism of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier: FA-cycling hypothesis and beyond
No full textThe mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier (AAC, ANT), a member of the SLC25 family of solute carriers, plays a critical role in transporting purine nucleotides (ATP and ADP) as well as protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. However, the precise mechanism and physiological significance of proton transport by ADP/ATP carrier remain unclear. Notably, the presence of uncouplers-such as long-chain fatty acids (FA) or artificial compounds like dinitrophenol (DNP)-is essential for this process. We explore two potential mechanisms that describe ADP/ATP carrier as either (i) a proton carrier that functions in the presence of FA or DNP, or (ii) an anion transporter (FA- or DNP). In the latter case, the proton is translocated by the neutral form of FA, which carries it from the matrix to the intermembrane space (FA-cycling hypothesis). Our recent results support this hypothesis. We describe a four-step mechanism for the "sliding" of the FA anion from the matrix to the mitochondrial intermembrane space and discuss a possible generalization of this mechanism to other SLC25 carriers
Breeding of Camels in Europe: Between Continuity and Innovation
No full textCamel breeding in Europe has undergone significant changes, intertwining historical continuity with modern innovation. Historically, dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) and Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus), played essential roles in Roman logistics, medieval rituals, and agriculture, leaving archeological and cultural footprints across Europe. Following a decline during the Middle Ages, camels were largely confined to exotic collections. However, the past few decades have witnessed a resurgence in camel farming, primarily driven by tourism and the demand for camel milk, with an estimated 5000-6000 camels now present in Europe. Despite their adaptability to harsh climates and nutritional advantages, the sector faces challenges such as small population sizes, fragmented breeding efforts, and the absence of regulatory frameworks tailored to camels. Advances in genomic tools, including genome-wide association studies and SNP genotyping, have created opportunities for the genetic management of camels in Europe, yet also reveal concerns about low genetic diversity stemming from founder effects. Addressing these issues requires coordinated international efforts, standardized phenotype recording, and enhanced welfare guidelines. With climate change highlighting the resilience of camels to arid environments, their potential as sustainable livestock remains promising. This review underscores the balance between preserving the historical legacy of camels in Europe and fostering their integration into contemporary agricultural systems
Emergence of Autochthonous Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis Infections in Horses, Czech Republic and Austria, 2019–2023
No full textWe report 4 cases of equine cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania martiniquensis in Czech Republic and Austria, outside the known endemic range of leishmaniases. The parasite should be considered as a potential cause of cutaneous lesions in horses; the risk for zoonotic transmission to immunocompromised humans is anticipated throughout central Europe
Distinct miRNA profiles in human amniotic tissue and its vesicular and non-vesicular secretome
No full textIntroduction: The human amniotic membrane (hAM) has largely been used in tissue regeneration and wound healing applications. A promising alternative to decellularized hAM or isolated cells is the usage of native viable hAM which contains and releases cell-derived bioactive factors that are known to enhance tissue regeneration. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known regulators of gene expression at post-transcriptional level and are important drivers of regeneration processes in several tissues. In this study, we characterized the miRNA profile of hAM tissue and its vesicular and non-vesicular secretome in the reflected and placental hAM as two spatially and physiologically distinct regions.
Methods: Extracellular vesicles were enriched from the secretome by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Small RNAs were determined by Next Generation Sequencing in the conditioned medium and in tissue.
Results: After SEC, we identified predominantly small hAM-derived EVs (≤200 nm) expressing CD81. The highest percentage of miRNA relative to all mapped reads was found in tissue (15%–40%), while 2%–15% were protein-bound and 3%–6% associated with EVs. Unsupervised clustering revealed distinct clusters of miRNA expression according to sample fraction (EV-associated, protein-bound, and tissue) and amniotic regions (reflected, placental). Gene ontology analysis linked EV-associated and tissue miRNAs to (smooth) muscle proliferation, while protein-bound miRNAs were associated with connective tissue development, chondrocyte differentiation and glial cell proliferation. Furthermore, correlation analysis of tissue miRNAs and extracellular expression identified EV-associated and protein-bound miRNAs specifically released from the tissue.
Conclusion: These findings support the assumption that native viable hAM could serve as a miRNA source for applications in regenerative medicine
Die Therapieoptionen der kranialen Kreuzbandruptur bei der Katze: eine systematische Literaturübersicht
No full textDiploma thesis - University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna - 2025Cranial cruciate ligament rupture in cats is a rare orthopedic condition compared to dogs, yet it significantly impacts the quality of life of affected animals due to lameness and joint instability. This systematic review aimed to analyze and compare various treatment options – conservative, extra- and intracapsular techniques, as well as corrective osteotomies – in terms of their clinical and radiological outcomes, complication rates, and owner assessments. The systematic literature search followed PRISMA guidelines and was conducted in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, along with other sources. After screening and evaluation based on defined criteria, a total of 14 studies were included in the analysis. These studies were classified according to the levels of evidence established by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Wright et al., 2003), with the majority being retrospective case series. The results indicate that biomechanical procedures, such as Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy and Tibial Tuberosity Advancement, show promising outcomes for severe instabilities. Extracapsular techniques, such as the fabellotibial suture, proved less invasive and more suitable for moderate instabilities. Conservative approaches often resulted in clinical improvement but were associated with a higher rate of osteoarthritis progression. Overall, the available data were limited, and high-quality comparative studies are lacking. The findings highlight the need for further prospective, randomized studies with standardized evaluation parameters to assess and compare long-term clinical and radiological outcomes. Treatment decisions should be individualized, considering joint instability, the activity level of the cat, and owner preferences.Diplomarbeit - Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien - 2025Die kraniale Kreuzbandruptur bei Katzen ist im Gegensatz zum Hund eine seltene orthopädische Erkrankung, die jedoch durch Lahmheit und Gelenkinstabilität erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die Lebensqualität der betroffenen Tiere haben kann. Ziel dieser systematischen Literaturübersicht war es, die verschiedenen Therapieoptionen – konservative, extra- und intrakapsuläre Techniken sowie Korrekturosteotomien – hinsichtlich ihrer klinischen und radiologischen Ergebnisse, der Komplikationsraten und der Einschätzung der Besitzer:innen zu analysieren und zu vergleichen. Die Literaturrecherche erfolgte nach PRISMA-Richtlinien in Datenbanken wie PubMed, Scopus und ScienceDirect sowie weiteren Quellen. Nach dem Screening und der Bewertung der Studien wurden gemäß definierten Kriterien insgesamt 14 Studien in die Analyse einbezogen. Diese wurden nach den Evidenzlevel-Kriterien des Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Wright et al., 2003) klassifiziert, wobei der Großteil retrospektive Fallserien umfasste. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass biomechanische Verfahren wie die Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy und die Tibial Tuberosity Advancement bei schweren Instabilitäten vielversprechende Ergebnisse liefern. Extrakapsuläre Techniken, wie der fabellotibiale Fadenzügel, erwiesen sich als weniger invasiv und geeigneter bei moderaten Instabilitäten. Konservative Ansätze führten oft zu einer klinischen Verbesserung, waren jedoch mit einer höheren Arthroseentwicklung assoziiert. Insgesamt war die Datenlage begrenzt, und es fehlen qualitativ hochwertige Vergleichsstudien. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse verdeutlichen den Bedarf an weiteren prospektiven, randomisierten Studien mit standardisierten Bewertungsparametern, um langfristige klinische und radiologische Ergebnisse bewerten und vergleichen zu können. Die Wahl der Therapie sollte individuell erfolgen und Faktoren wie die Gelenksinstabilität, das Aktivitätsniveau und die Präferenzen der Besitzer:innen berücksichtigen
Differences between facilities in horse welfare profiles: slight differences in management/working conditions may be enough
No full textMany studies focus on animal welfare in terms of specific, either behavioural or physiological, indicators or on the impact of a particular management factor. However, an animal’s welfare state results from the individual’s perception of its general environment, which has consequences at both behavioural and physiological levels. Previous research on horses has shown that different riding schools could be characterised by different emotional/cognitive profiles of horses, in relation sometimes with one single management factor. In the present study, we aimed at determining if such facility-specific horse profiles could also be found in terms of welfare, i.e. facility-specific “welfare profiles”, using a multifaceted approach where animals’ welfare state was assessed based on detailed behavioural, health and physiological measurements. A total of 59 horses from three different riding schools, with a very similar global conventional management but differed slightly in terms of turn-out frequency and riding techniques were studied. A principal component analysis and statistical comparisons showed that, despite the close similarity in management between the three sites, the horses’ welfare state was very different and specific to each structure. Thus, this study using behavioural, health and physiological measures, highlights the existence of facility horse welfare profiles and reveals that even apparently minor differences in management practices could have a major impact on the horses’ welfare state. The quality of ridden work, which is often not taken into account in studies on horse welfare, could be a major issue
Continent-wide differentiation of fitness traits and patterns of climate adaptation among European populations of Drosophila melanogaster
No full textA particularly well-studied evolutionary model is the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster, a cosmopolitan insect of ancestral southern-central African origin. Recent work suggests that it expanded out of Africa ∼9,000 years ago, and spread from the Middle East into Europe ∼1,800 years ago. During its global expansion, this human commensal adapted to novel climate zones and habitats. Despite much work on phenotypic differentiation and adaptation on several continents (especially North America and Australia), typically in the context of latitudinal clines, little is known about phenotypic divergence among European populations. Here, we sought to provide a continent-wide study of phenotypic differentiation among European populations of D. melanogaster. In a consortium-wide phenomics effort, we assayed 16 fitness-related traits on a panel of 173 isofemale lines from 9 European populations, with the majority of traits measured by several groups using semi-standardized protocols. For most fitness-related traits, we found significant differentiation among populations on a continental scale. Despite inevitable differences in assay conditions among labs, the reproducibility and hence robustness of our measurements were overall remarkably good. Several fitness components (e.g., viability, development time) exhibited significant latitudinal or longitudinal clines, and populations differed markedly in multivariate trait structure. Notably, populations experiencing higher humidity/rainfall and lower maximum temperature showed higher viability, fertility, starvation resistance, and lifespan at the expense of lower heat-shock survival, suggesting a pattern of local adaptation. Our results indicate that derived populations of this tropical fly have been shaped by pervasive spatially varying multivariate selection and adaptation to different climates on the European continent
Antiparasitics against ectoparasites in small animals- important pharmaceutical substances or underestimated environmental hazards?
No full textApplication of chemical compounds for the control and prevention of arthropod infestations is standard in small animal veterinary medicine. However, concerns about potential negative effects of such substances in the environment, including their circulation in water, soil or plants, and consequent impacts, including infertility or death of sensitive non-target organisms, such as bird, fish, and insects, in particular pollinators, are increasing. Factors that determine the risk of environmental harm from different chemicals are not only their release, but also their retention, bioavailability, degradation, accumulation in different environmental compartments, bioaccumulation in different organisms or their organs, and the effects of excipients commonly used in drug formulations vs. not medical or veterinary use of chemicals. Here we briefly review the substance classes of insecticides, acaricides, or repellents used in veterinary medicine, their effects and possible side effects, and their fate in the environment, including reports of undesirable environmental impacts. In addition to existing literature, the possibilities of preventing, reducing and containing the unwanted release of such chemicals from animal treatments and the pivotal role of experts in veterinary parasitology are discussed. Knowledge gaps concerning the properties of chemicals used for the control of ectoparasites in veterinary medicine that must be addressed in future research are emphasized
Immunohistochemical assessment of ERM proteins (ezrin, radixin, moesin) in the ovaries of different species
No full textThe ezrin/radixin/moesin proteins play a central role in cross-linking plasma membrane proteins with the actin cytoskeleton. Despite intensive ERM protein research in many tissues and pathologies, little is known about these proteins in healthy tissues of reproductive organs. Therefore, we examined ezrin, phosphorylated ezrin/radixin/moesin (pan-pERM), radixin, and moesin distribution at the cellular level by means of immunohistochemistry in ovaries of the following animal species: mouse, dog, cat, sheep, pig, horse, and cynomolgus monkey. Ezrin was expressed in oocytes, ovarian surface, granulosa cells and corpus luteum. A characteristic, predominantly membranous pan-pERM staining pattern was observed in ovarian surface epithelium, oocyte, granulosa cells and corpus luteum. Moesin immunoreactivity was present in all ovarian structures with a prominent signal in endothelial cells of blood vessels. Oocytes, granulosa cells and corpus luteum revealed mainly nuclear radixin staining. Staining pattern and subcellular localization (membranous, cytoplasmic, nuclear) varied between different animal species and between particular ERM proteins as well. This data may help gain new insights into the physiological function of ERM proteins in biological events in the female reproductive system