Research

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Section I: Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome

Before beginning this project I knew only a little about mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS). My connection to this topic began in early childhood when my mother got me involved with horses and continue through high school where I worked at a thoroughbred racehorse farm. Over the years, while working at Longleaf Pine Farm, I made several trips to Kentucky to pick up horses and bring them back to the farm in North Carolina. In May of this year I went with my previous boss, Mona, for an emergency trip to Kentucky, to pick up three brood mares that had already been affected by this mysterious problem and to check on five others that were there. At that time, though, not very much was known about what is now called mare reproductive loss syndrome.

          It was known that mares nearing full term were suddenly miscarrying, giving birht to stillborn foals, or experiencing failed pregnancies between 60 and 72 days.  A few cases are not unusual, but hundreds are suspicious! In May this problem was believed to be caused by the warm spring, followed by a frost, followed by a drought, which caused toxins to be produced in the shoots of grass that covered paddocks in Kentucky. Because I am a horse nut and the farm I worked for in high school was being affected, just as the rest of the horse industry, I wanted to find out more.  This research project gave me a perfect opportunity.

          I am hoping this project will answer a few questions for me, such as the following: What is the actual cause of this mysterious problem? How badly will the horse (racing) industry be affected, now and in the next few years? Are there any preventive measures owners and handlers should be taking?  If so, what are they? Is there an end or a cure in sight? These are the basic questions I had and would be interested in finding answers.

          My target audience would be horse lovers and enthusiasts, whether or not they are owners. People who enjoy horse racing, betting or watching may also be interested because it is inevitable that the racing industry will be greatly affected by the sudden loss of so many offspring. Horse owners and caretakers from other states who are not fully aware of this problem may also be interested in learning more about MRLS. Yet another group who may desire to have more information are those who work for feed and/or chemical companies interested in producing or manufacturing a product for the prevention of these problems.

Section I-b: keyword searches

UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog: veterinary AND horses; Kentucky AND horses

Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis: mare reproductive loss syndrome; stillbirths AND (horses OR mares OR foals)

Search engine on web, Google: <http://www.google.com>  mare reproductive loss syndrome; (horses OR mares OR foals) AND (stillbirths OR miscarriages)

Section II: books from UNC-CH Libraries

Animals and Disease: an introduction to the history of comparative medicine and Makers of the Modern Thoroughbred.

Wilkinson, Lise. Animals and Disease: an introduction to the history of comparative medicine. Cambridge,           New York: Cambridge University Press, 1992. UNC-CH Libraries call number: R133.W555 1992

Willett, Peter. Makers of the Modern Thoroughbred. Lexington, Ky.: University Press of Kentucky, 1986.           UNC-CH Libraries call number: SF336.A2 W55 1986

Section III: Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis sources

Blount, Rachel. Star Tribune [newspaper online]. Minneapolis, MN: Star Tribune, 16 May 2001, accessed 10 July 2001; available from    

Christine, Bill. Los Angeles Times [newspaper online]. Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2001, accessed 10 July 2001; available from

Farley, Dan. Racing Post [newspaper online]. Lexington, KY: MGN Ltd., 12 June 2001, accessed 9 July 2001; available from

Wesch, Hank. The San Diego Union-Tribune [newspaper online]. San Diego, CA: The San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2001, accessed 9 July 2001; available from

Combined wire services from Lexington, KY and Albany, NY. The Times Union [newspaper online]. Albany, NY: The Hearst Corporation, 16 May 2001, accessed 9 July 2001; available from

From Journal Sentinel wire reports. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel [newspaper online]. Milwaukee, WI: Journal Sentinel, Inc. 13 May 2001, accessed 9 July 2001; available from

Section IV: Web sources on MRLS

Title of Web page: The estimated cost of horse illness has far-reaching economic impact $225 MILLION

Web address: <http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2001/05/12/ke051201s22290.htm>

Brief Description: An estimate of the economic loss proposed for the horse industry from now, 2001, to the year 2004. Not only will horse owners, breeders, trainers and riders be affected by the deaths of the more than 500 foals, but so will hotels, restaurants, feed suppliers, tractor companies, landscapers and others of the like. The early estimated loss in revenue is $225 million.

Source of Web site: The Courier-Journal

Title of Web page: Deadly Spring Syndrome

Web address: <http://www.thehorse.com/0107/spring_syndromes0107.html>

Brief Description: An indepth look at mare reproductive loss syndrome and what is being done to solve the problems it is causing. A description of what happens to the mares and foals as a result of MRLS, well as other problems, like pericarditis. It is mentioned that caterpillars may be a possible cause. Cooperation among veterinarians, researchers, farm managers, horse owners and the industry at large is necessary for solid answers to be discovered.

Source of Web site: The Horse Interactive

Title of Web page: Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome

Web address: <http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/VetScience/mrls/brief702.htm>

Brief Description: An update as of July 2nd on the problem called mare reproductive loss syndrome. A discussion of the data gathered on pastures to figure out a cause for mare reproductive loss syndrome. Some of the individual risk factors noted in paddocks were cherry trees, the presence of caterpillars, mycotoxins and even cyanide.

Source of Web site: University of Kentucky

Title of Web page: Latest Foal Loss Update No Change in Risk Factors

Web address: <http://www.health.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=4873>

Brief Description: An update on the possible causes of mare reproductive loss syndrome. Discussing causes and contributing factors to MRLS. Risk factors that were pointed out after a 133-farm survey (89% of the Kentucky farms, combined total of over 17,000 horses), included cherry trees, cherry tree seedlings, caterpillar infestations and deciduous trees with no leaves.

Source of Web site: The Blood-Horse, Inc.

Title of Web page: Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome

Web address: <http://www.horseover.com/articles/mrls.shtml>

Brief Description: The most current update as to the cause of MRLS, July 15, 2001. Unfortunately there still seem to be more questions than answers and though there are many preventative measures suggested, it is not known if they will do any good. The problem is still believed to have something to do with the pastures and the mycotoxins in them. Special feeds are being formulated to bind with the mycotoxins to reduce the number of deaths and other complications.

Source of Web site: HorseOver

Section V: Internet Mini-Essay

TITLE: E-Business Security

(TOPIC AREA: Net Business and Economics)

          As e-businesses spring up everyday, the issue of security and integrity become more and more important. If E-businesses are not secure, private and confidential information is not kept private and confidential, people will become nervous about E-business and a new way to do business is essentially lost. In the physical world there is person-to-person contact for business, but in the E-business world customers connect with vendors and suppliers via the Internet. It was long ago that the physical business world learned there were risks in business and those risks cannot always be eliminated. In came the security guards, electronic tags on the merchandise, sensors on the doors and surveillance cameras - all part of security.

          Just as the person-to-person business world needs security so does the E-business world. This security comes at a price, though. In the beginning security for e-business was a luxury; it has quickly become a necessity. No longer is security an afterthought, it is now of major importance and has been brought into the boardroom as a "vital part of the business plan." Though security funding has increased, that does not necessarily mean that security is better. To screen for poor security, companies are now beginning to create effective and complete security strategies.  They are building detection systems and Virtual Private Networks (VPN) in order to locate holes in their own security systems. (1) One of the methods used to create and sustain a substantial security system is the cross device relationship analysis, which gives a company the ability to see on different levels and in different areas all the devices and applications of the company at one time. Real-time, continuous assessment allows businesses to quickly respond to crucial situations. The comprehensive solution allows companies to efficiently manage security resources, while a best practices approach is necessary to handle security information.

          E-business is based on data integrity and knowing that it "is intact and that online systems are always available." Some say that knowledge is power, that information allows for the best advantage, strategic and competitive. In order to stay ahead of the game, the security must be top of the line and has to manage the risk of exposure for online information. (2) It is the businesses that stick to the policies of management who improve their performance, at the same time, they reduce the risk of exposure and possible legal problems connected to negligent operations and poor securities.

NOTES:

(1) "Web Security Takes a Seat in the Boardroom." NetForensics. Also available online: [http://www.netforensics.com/documents/R01.pdf] accessed 10 July 2001.

(2) "Secure E-business: New Markets at the Speed of Information; Online Opportunities at the Speed of Thought." Internet Security Systems, Inc. Also available online: [http://documents.iss.net/whitepapers/securitybus.pdf] accessed 10 July 2001.

WEB SITES:

Title of Web page: Secure E-business: New Markets at the Speed of Information; Online Opportunities at the Speed of Thought

Web address: <http://documents.iss.net/whitepapers/securitybus.pdf>

Brief Description: Secure E-business can deliver increased revenue, maximized profitability and increased customer satisfaction by enhancing data integrity, availability and protection, extending security expertise, lowering legal liability and various other methods to maintain data integrity. With secure E-business companies can move online with assurance.

Source of Web site: Internet Security Systems, Inc.

Title of Web page: Solving Business Problems with Virtual Private Networks: An overview of seven key issues and managing security technology

Web address: <http://www.netscreen.com/solutions/pdf/NetScreen_VPN_WP_final.pdf>

Brief Description: This page contains seven common problems enterprises and services providers face using Virtual Private Networks and the solutions that are available to them and now others E-businesses. Virtual Private Networks bring together effective and secure networks while balancing benefits and costs.

Source of Web site: NetScreen Technologies, Inc.

Title of Web page: Web Security Takes a Seat in the Boardroom

Web address: <http://www.netforensics.com/documents/R01.pdf>

Brief Description: Security infrastructure and security policies are becoming a more vital part of the E-business plan and it has therefore moved form a luxury to a necessity. Budgets for security have increased just as requirements for security information management. Innovative technology allows security information to be collected, communicated and analyzed so that an accurate view of the secure environment is shown.

Source of Web site: netForensics

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