Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in canine osteosarcoma: Association with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with aggressive growth and metastasis of a range of tumours, including osteosarcomas (OS), although some studies have reported no relevance to clinicopathological events or prognosis. The present study evaluated EGFR mRNA and protein expression in a panel of OS cell lines, normal bones, frozen primary OS and tissue microarrays. EGFR expression was significantly elevated in primary OS compared to normal bones and in metastases of OS to the lungs in comparison with extrapulmonary sites. However, there were no clinical or pathological associations with mRNA expression levels in frozen tumours. Tissue microarray analysis demonstrated that a subset of canine OS with high EGFR expression was associated with significantly shorter survival times and disease-free intervals. Cytoplasmic expression of EGFR was present in 75% of metastases and was similar to expression in primary tumours. EGFR expression alone is not a reliable predictor of outcome and other markers are necessary for further prognostic stratification of dogs with OS. However, these findings suggest that a subset of dogs may benefit from anti-EGFR adjuvant therapies.     

Comparison of azaperone–detomidine–butorphanol–ketamine and azaperone–tiletamine–zolazepam for anaesthesia in piglets

ObjectiveTo investigate a combination of azaperone, detomidine, butorphanol and ketamine (DBK) in pigs and to compare it with the combination of azaperone, tiletamine and zolazepam (TZ).Study designProspective, randomized, blinded, cross–over study.AnimalsTwelve clinically healthy crossbred pigs aged about 2 months and weighing 16–25 kg.MethodsPigs were pre–medicated with azaperone (4 mg kg^?1). Ten minutes later anaesthesia was induced with intramuscular DBK (detomidine 0.08 mg kg^?1, butorphanol 0.2 mg kg^?1, ketamine 10 mg kg^?1) or TZ (tiletamine and zolazepam 5 mg kg^?1). The pigs were positioned in dorsal recumbency. Heart and respiratory rates, posture, anaesthesia score, PaO₂, PaCO₂, pH and bicarbonate concentration were measured. t–test was used to compare the areas under time–anaesthesia index curve (AUC_anindex) between treatments. Data concerning heart and respiratory rates, PaO₂, PaCO₂ and anaesthesia score were analysed with anova for repeated measurements. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for the data concerning the duration of sedation and anaesthesia.ResultsThe sedation, analgesia and anaesthesia lasted longer after DBK than TZ. The AUC_anscore were 863 ± 423 and 452 ± 274 for DBK and TZ, respectively (p = 0.002). The duration of surgical anaesthesia lasted a median of 35 minutes (0–105 minutes) after DBK and a median of 15 minutes (0–35 minutes) after TZ (p = 0.05). Four pigs after DBK and six after TZ did not achieve the plane of surgical anaesthesia. The heart rate was lower after DBK than after TZ. Both treatments had similar effects on the other parameters measured.ConclusionsAt the doses used DBK was more effective than TZ for anaesthesia in pigs under field conditions.Clinical relevanceThe combinations can be used for sedation and minor field surgery in pigs. The doses and drugs chosen were insufficient to produce a reliable surgical plane of anaesthesia in these young pigs.     

Detection of tobacco rattle virus in nematodes by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction

An assay, based on amplification of cDNA synthesized from genomic viral RNA, has been developed to detect tobacco rattle virus in infected plant material and viruliferous nematodes. A range of different TRV strains could be detected using the procedure developed. The presence of one to three viruliferous nematodes in a nematode suspension was sufficient for the detection of TRV. The minimum amount of purified virus detectable in the assay was 15 fg, indicating an increased sensitivity of the PCR-based assay as compared to serological detection methods, like ELISA. A dot-blot hybridization procedure was developed for the detection of the PCR products, making agarose gel electrophoresis dispensable.     

Evaluation of bioequivalence after oral, intramuscular, and intravenous administration of racemic ketoprofen in pigs

OBJECTIVE: To assess bioequivalence after oral, IM, and IV administration of racemic ketoprofen in pigs and to investigate the bioavailability after oral and IM administration. ANIMALS: 8 crossbred pigs. PROCEDURES: Each pig received 4 treatments in a randomized crossover design, with a 6-day washout period. Ketoprofen was administered at 3 and 6 mg/kg, PO; 3 mg/kg, IM; and 3 mg/kg, IV. Plasma ketoprofen concentrations were measured by use of high-performance liquid chromatography for up to 48 hours. To assess bioequivalence, a 90% confidence interval was calculated for the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (C(max)). RESULTS: Equivalence was not detected in the AUCs among the various routes of administration nor in C(max) between oral and IM administration of 3 mg/kg. The bioavailability of ketoprofen was almost complete after each oral or IM administration. Mean +/- SD C(max) was 5.09 +/- 1.41 microg/mL and 7.62 +/- 1.22 microg/mL after oral and IM doses of 3 mg/kg, respectively. Mean elimination half-life varied from 3.52 +/- 0.90 hours after oral administration of 3 mg/kg to 2.66 +/- 0.50 hours after IV administration. Time to peak C(max) after administration of all treatments was approximately 1 hour. Increases in AUC and C(max) were proportional when the orally administered dose was increased from 3 to 6 mg/kg. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Orally administered ketoprofen was absorbed well in pigs, although bioequivalence with IM administration of ketoprofen was not detected. Orally administered ketoprofen may have potential for use in treating pigs.     

Histologic prognosticators in feline osteosarcoma: a comparison with phenotypically similar canine osteosarcoma

Objective— To investigate the histologic characteristics of feline osteosarcoma (OS) and compare the histologic data with phenotypically comparable canine OS. The effects of histologic and clinical variables on survival statistics were evaluated.
Study Design— Retrospective study.
Animals— Cats (n=62) and dogs (22).
Methods— Medical records of 62 cats with OS were reviewed for clinically relevant data. Clinical outcome was obtained by telephone interview. Histologic characteristics of OS were classified using a standardized grading system. Histologic characteristics in 22 feline skeletal OS were compared with 22 canine skeletal OS of identical location and subtype. Prognostic variables for clinical outcome were determined using multivariate analysis.
Results— Feline OS was characterized by moderate to abundant cellular pleomorphism, low mitotic index, small to moderate amounts of matrix, high cellularity, and a moderate amount of necrosis. There was no significant difference between histologic variables in feline and canine OS. Histologic grade, surgery, and mitotic index significantly influenced clinical outcome as determined by multivariate analysis. Tumor invasion into vessels was not identified as a significant prognosticator.
Conclusion— Feline and canine skeletal OS have similar histologic but different prognostic characteristics.
Clinical Relevance— Prognosis for cats with OS is related to histologic grade and mitotic index of the tumor.     

Fate of the herbicides glyphosate, glufosinate-ammonium, phenmedipham, ethofumesate and metamitron in two Finnish arable soils

The fate of five herbicides (glyphosate, glufosinate-ammonium, phenmedipham, ethofumesate and metamitron) was studied in two Finnish sugar beet fields for 26 months. Soil types were sandy loam and clay. Two different herbicide-tolerant sugar beet cultivars and three different herbicide application schedules were used. Meteorological data were collected throughout the study and soil properties were thoroughly analysed. An extensive data set of herbicide residue concentrations in soil was collected. Five different soil depths were sampled. The study was carried out using common Finnish agricultural practices and represents typical sugar beet cultivation conditions in Finland. The overall observed order of persistence was ethofumesate > glyphosate > phenmedipham > metamitron > glufosinate-ammonium. Only ethofumesate and glyphosate persisted until the subsequent spring. Seasonal variation in herbicide dissipation was very high and dissipation ceased almost completely during winter. During the 2 year experiment no indication of potential groundwater pollution risk was obtained, but herbicides may cause surface water pollution.     

The cardiopulmonary effects of a peripheral alpha‐2‐adrenoceptor antagonist,MK‐467, in dogs sedated with a combination of medetomidine and butorphanol

ObjectiveTo compare the cardiopulmonary effects of intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) medetomidine and butorphanol with or without MK-467.Study designProspective, randomized experimental cross-over.AnimalsEight purpose–bred beagles (two females, six males), 3–4 years old and weighing 14.5 ±1.6 kg (mean ± SD).MethodsAll dogs received four different treatments as follows: medetomidine 20 μg kg^?1 and butorphanol tartrate 0.1 mg kg^?1 IV and IM (MB), and MB combined with MK-467,500 μg kg^?1 (MBMK) IV and IM. Heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressures (SAP, MAP, DAP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac output, respiratory rate (f_R), rectal temperature (RT) were measured and arterial blood samples were obtained for gas analysis at baseline and at 3, 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after drug administration. The cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) were calculated. After the follow-up period atipamezole 50 μg kg^?1 IM was given to reverse sedation.ResultsHR, CI and DO₂I were significantly higher with MBMK after both IV and IM administration. Similarly, SAP, MAP, DAP, CVP, SVRI and RT were significantly lower after MBMK than with MB. There were no differences in f_R between treatments, but arterial partial pressure of oxygen decreased transiently after all treatments. Recoveries were uneventful following atipamezole administration after all treatments.Conclusions and clinical relevanceMK-467 attenuated the cardiovascular effects of a medetomidine-butorphanol combination after IV and IM administration.     

Combined effects of dexmedetomidine and vatinoxan infusions on minimum alveolar concentration and cardiopulmonary function in sevoflurane-anesthetized dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of combined infusions of vatinoxan and dexmedetomidine on inhalant anesthetic requirement and cardiopulmonary function in dogs.Study designProspective experimental study.MethodsA total of six Beagle dogs were anesthetized to determine sevoflurane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) prior to and after an intravenous (IV) dose (loading, then continuous infusion) of dexmedetomidine (4.5 μg kg^–1 hour^–1) and after two IV doses of vatinoxan in sequence (90 and 180 μg kg^–1 hour^–1). Blood was collected for plasma dexmedetomidine and vatinoxan concentrations. During a separate anesthesia, cardiac output (CO) was measured under equivalent MAC conditions of sevoflurane and dexmedetomidine, and then with each added dose of vatinoxan. For each treatment, cardiovascular variables were measured with spontaneous and controlled ventilation. Repeated measures analyses were performed for each response variable; for all analyses, p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsDexmedetomidine reduced sevoflurane MAC by 67% (0.64 ± 0.1%), mean ± standard deviation in dogs. The addition of vatinoxan attenuated this to 57% (0.81 ± 0.1%) and 43% (1.1 ± 0.1%) with low and high doses, respectively, and caused a reduction in plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations. Heart rate and CO decreased while systemic vascular resistance increased with dexmedetomidine regardless of ventilation mode. The co-administration of vatinoxan dose-dependently modified these effects such that cardiovascular variables approached baseline.Conclusions and clinical relevanceIV infusions of 90 and 180 μg kg^–1 hour^–1 of vatinoxan combined with 4.5 μg kg^–1 hour^–1 dexmedetomidine provide a meaningful reduction in sevoflurane requirement in dogs. Although sevoflurane MAC-sparing properties of dexmedetomidine in dogs are attenuated by vatinoxan, the cardiovascular function is improved. Doses of vatinoxan >180 μg kg^–1 hour^–1 might improve cardiovascular function further in combination with this dose of dexmedetomidine, but beneficial effects on anesthesia plane and recovery quality may be lost.     

Effect of selenate supplementation on glycoalkaloid content of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) supplemented with increasing amounts of sodium selenate were analyzed for glycoalkaloid (GA) content. GAs were extracted with 5% acetic acid from freeze-dried tubers of two potato cultivars, Satu and Sini, harvested 10 weeks after planting as immature. The GAs alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine were quantified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with diode array detection. Two independent experiments were performed. In the first experiment, the total GA concentration +/- standard error of the tubers ranged between 105 +/- 9 and 124 +/- 10 mg kg(-1) fresh weight in Satu and between 194 +/- 26 and 228 +/- 10 mg kg(-1) fresh weight in Sini. The ratio of alpha-solanine to alpha-chaconine was 0.2 in Satu and 0.5-0.6 in Sini. In the second experiment, the total GA concentration +/- standard error was 75 +/- 4 to 96 +/- 11 mg kg(-1) fresh weight, and the ratio of alpha-solanine to alpha-chaconine was 0.3-0.4 in Satu. A high sodium selenate supplementation (0.9 mg of Se kg(-1) quartz sand) slightly decreased the GA content in Satu, but this decrease was not statistically significant. Furthermore, at this addition level the Se concentration increased to a very high level of 20 microg g(-1) dry weight, which cannot be recommended for human consumption. In both experiments, the Se concentration in tubers increased with increasing sodium selenate application levels. Our results show that acceptable application levels of selenate did not have an effect on the GA concentration in immature potato tubers.