Overview of research projects

Project Details:
A blood test provides information on the physiological or pathological status of an animal. In veterinary medicine, another focus is on monitoring the nutritional status of a patient. The patient's results, obtained through sampling and appropriate analysis procedures, are categorised with previously established RI of a healthy reference population. The laboratory results provide important information for the diagnosis and prognosis of a sick animal. In addition to correct analysis, the reliability of laboratory results requires quality-assured pre-analysis and appropriate and evidence-based RI. Even accurate measurement results can lead to incorrect diagnosis and therapy if the sample has been altered at the time of analysis to such an extent that it no longer corresponds to the basic population of the previously used reference population. Many factors influence the quality of samples in the pre-analytical phase and the basis for assessment in the post-analytical phase. The aim of this project is therefore, for the first time, to focus significantly more on pre-analytical factors in the production of RI. In order to avoid diagnostic errors, pre-analytical workflows should be standardised as far as possible. According to a thorough literature search, the RIs of the following parameters in particular differ significantly from each other and will therefore be reproduced in this paper using a reference population. In particular, this will be done with very clearly defined pre-analytical conditions. From clinical chemistry, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), creatine kinase (CK), total protein (TTP), albumin, total bilirubin, urea, beta-hydroxybutyrate (ß-HBS), free fatty acids (FFA), cholesterol and various minerals are considered.
The aim is to further develop and establish recommendations that can be implemented in daily practice and laboratory work in veterinary medicine, are based on current and quality-assured RI for dairy cows from Germany and lead to meaningful laboratory results.

Project Details:
The objective of this prospective randomised clinical trial is to evaluate the occurrence of post-operative ileus as well as the short- and long-term outcome with the use of two different suture patterns for jejunojejunal anastomosis. Furthermore, histomorphology and several markers for inflammation, cell death, the enteric nervous system and stem cells will be evaluated in intestinal samples taken from the resection margins. In cases necessitating anastomotic revision or euthanasia, this (immuno-)histological examination will also be performed on the anastomosis itself. Determining the expression and distribution of these markers will enable the characterisation of this tissue prior to and following anastomosis and possibly identify causes for post-operative ileus or anastomotic failure.

Funding: Industry (Stable equipment/Animal husbandry supplies), 196.665 EUR

Project Details:
Sensor-based devices are increasingly used to objectify lameness and other gait abnormalities in horses. Recording the ground reaction forces of the hooves is the gold standard but measurements require well equipped facilities and significant effort. With the help of pressure boots, which can be easily attached to the horse's hooves, their pressure on the ground and position during locomotion can be determined. Data will be compared to established kinetic (pressure measuring plate) and kinematic methods (Equinosis Lameness LocatorTM).

Results:

Keller, J., Jung, K., Geburek, F. Equine Lameness Detection and Monitoring with an Instrumented Hoof Boot.

In: Proceedings of the 5th Scientific Meeting of the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, ECVSMR; Cordoba, Spain, October 16-18, 2024; in print

 

Geburek, F., Jung, K., Keller, J. Bewegungsanalyse mit instrumentierten Hufschuhen - was ist möglich?

In: Tagungsband des DVG-Vet-Congress 2024 - 7. Internationaler Kongress zur Pferdemedizin / Tagung der DVG-Fachgruppe Pferdekrankheiten, 1.- 2. November 2024, Berlin, Verlag der DVG Service GmbH, Gießen, ISBN 978-3-86345-736-5, S. 44-46

Project Details:
Flexural deformities are common in foals. Conservative therapy by systemic administration of oxytetracycline (OTC) is often effective, however, it is associated with risks and disadvantages. The aim of the project is to test the potential effect of pharmacological alternatives to OTC on tendon tissue ex vivo.

Results:

Cardinaux, E.M., Oltmanns, H., Beineke, A., Meißner, J., Geburek, F.

Pharmacological alternatives to oxytetracycline as potential treatment of flexural limb deformities in foals: a preliminary in vitro cell viability and proliferation study. In: Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, ECVS; Valencia, Spain, July 4-6, 2024, Vet. Surg. 2024, 53, O3.

DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14127

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vsu.14127?msockid=3bbb10b1936a636d06e205cc92aa6203

Funding: VolkswagenStiftung, 700.000 EUR

Project Details:
Avian influenza in humans is associated with pneumonia, inflammation and high case fatality rates. We identified CYP19A1 as a key gene involved in sex-specific lung inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters and humans. CYP19A encodes for the aromatase enzyme that converts testosterone-to-estradiol leading to the activation of various estrogen-regulated pathways associated with lung inflammation. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters with letrozole, a clinically approved CYP19A1 aromatase inhibitor, recovered impaired lung function and overall lung health in males. We further found that also avian H7N9 influenza virus infection mediates massive upregulation of CYP19A1 in the lung of infected animals. Thus, we hypothesize that estrogen-regulated activation of inflammatory pathways in the lung play a crucial role in severe viral disease outcome. Therefore, in this proposal, we will systemically evaluate the impact of compounds that inhibit the synthesis of estrogens (using aromatase inhibitors) or interfere with estrogen-regulated down-stream pathways (using estrogen antagonists, SERMs, SERDs) against avian influenza in the hamster model. Obtained data will provide new insights into estrogen-mediated inflammatory pathways upon infection with respiratory viruses. Moreover, identification of common pathways might result in overarching drug targets to treat inflammatory lung diseases in general.

Cooperation Partners:

Evotec

Funding: Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst, 44.500 EUR

Project Details:
Epilepsies are frequent neurological diseases in humans and dogs, characterized by recurrent, spontaneous seizures. About one third of human and two thirds of canine epilepsy patients do not become seizure free with the currently available antiseizure medications and are considered as pharmacoresistant. In addition, all antiseizure drugs cause adverse effects. Non-pharmacological treatment strategies are therefore urgently needed, and include therapeutic exercise training as adjunctive therapy.
So far, the effects of moderate exercise training on epileptic seizure thresholds are not sufficiently investigated, although several studies suggest that its positive effects might be therapeutically useful. Our pre-clinical studies focus on the effects of moderate exercise training on epileptic seizure thresholds and behavior.

Cooperation Partners:

Gerald Schneider (Klinik für Rehabilitations- und Sportmedizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover)

Project Details:
The project focuses on the isolation of phages from the feces of bearded dragons. After isolation, phages are examined and classified according to their efficacy and characteristics. Subsequently the influence of phage application on the microbiom and shedding of Salmonella is examined. These examinations are of relevance because of the zoonotic potential of Salmonella shedding in reptiles.

Cooperation Partners:

Robert-Koch-Institut Wernigerode

Funding: MWK, 540.878 EUR

Project Details:
Comprehensive characterization of the hormone profiles of the HPG axis in male and female Long COVID patients, hormone panels, hormone measurements and statistical evaluations.
Creation of expression profiles of sex hormones and
sex hormone receptors in the plasma, lungs, reproductive organs and brains of male and female hamsters.

Results:

https://www.umg.eu/forschung/corona/cofoni/

Funding: BMBF - JIPOceans MARE:N-Meeres- und Polarforschung im Förderbereich:Meeresforschung, 394.621 EUR

Project Details:
Sounds from offshore wind farms (OWF) are among the main contributors of anthropogenic noise to the marine environment. Substantial effort has been expanded on understanding possible impacts of noise resulting from the development stages of the OWF lifecycle. Despite 30 years of OWF operation in EU waters, our understanding of the impacts in the operational phase on marine ecosystems is limited. In this consortium, we aim to address this gap by expanding our knowledge of the radiated noise and the biological consequences of these operations and placing them in appropriate regulatory contexts, including provisions for adaptive mitigation advice. From the source and medium side, we will quantify key features of radiated noise from fixed and floating OWF, to increase understanding and simulate cumulative effect of clusters on radiated noise, helping us to identify sensitive habitats in cross-basin soundscapes. From the biological perspective, we will identify spatial and qualitative use of operating OWF by top predators and study the impacts of OWF noise on zooplankton behavior. These efforts will advance our knowledge of acute and cumulative effects of operational OWF noise across pelagic food webs. Harmonising and combining these two sides, we will develop knowledge and tools for integration of all aspects of noise production and propagation from operational OWF. This will facilitate assessment of planned OWF expansion for marine spatial planning and environmental impact. Finally, we will synthesise knowledge and best practices from EU and international experiences with fixed offshore wind installations and transfer this into the development of policy, mitigation, and regulation for the floating OWF within national, EU and international frameworks. With expected substantial expansion in OWF infrastructure globally as part of the green shift, our data and approaches will help facilitate this transition while minimizing impacts on the marine ecosystems

Funding: BMBF - JIPOceans MARE:N-Meeres- und Polarforschung im Förderbereich: Meeresforschung, 399.994 EUR

Project Details:
Marine environment is affected by noise pollution from human activity. The difficulty of conducting clinical and pathological analyses on living organisms in the marine environment and the wide diversity of sources of noise pollution determine a great uncertainty in the nature and extent of effects noise pollution has on marine fauna. Despite the growing literature on these themes, there are still relevant gaps, and a lack of multidisciplinarity in investigations of acute and long-term exposures, considering both single animals and populations. DIAPHONIA will bring together scientists from diverse backgrounds, to assess the various impacts of underwater noise on marine organisms throughout the food web, on European basins. Work package 1 (WP1) will develop a possible diagnostic fingerprinting composed of several tissue markers incorporating molecular, metabolomic and microscopic techniques to identify functional and morphological changes in the acoustic pathways of invertebrates, fishes and marine mammals. WP2 will explore the relationship between behavioural and cellular/molecular/organ effects of both short and long-term noise exposure in fish from different European ocean basins. WP3 will gain insight into the morpho-functionality of the peripheral hearing apparatus in marine mammals and its role in defining the animal?s acoustic sensitivity, by developing a standardised workflow for wave propagation in the associated tissues. All Information and data obtained will be discussed with relevant stakeholders and policy makers, to adapt to a multidisciplinary and evidenced-based approach to the existing guidance. They will also be summarised in guidelines harmonising future research efforts towards novel approaches as predictive models and organoids.

Cooperation Partners:

Projektkoordination: Prof. Sandro Mazzariol

UNIPD - Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy

UPC- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain

NTNU- Norway