Clinical outcome,PDGFRβ and KIT expression in feline histiocytic disorders: a multicentre study

Information about histiocytic disease in cats is limited. The aim of this study was to document clinical findings and outcome in feline histiocytic disorders, and characterize the expression of PDGFRβ and KIT in order to identify potential treatment targets. Morphologically diagnosed feline histiocytic tumours were reviewed and characterized by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Five cases of feline progressive histiocytosis (FPH), eight histiocytic sarcomas (HS) and two haemophagocytic histiocytic sarcomas (HaeHS) were confirmed. PDGFRβ was variably positive in most histiocytic cases, while KIT was negative in all. Clinical presentation, treatment and outcome were also evaluated. Partial responses were recorded in measurable disease with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and lomustine, and radiotherapy achieved long‐term control in some cases. Survival times were shortest in HaeHS and disseminated disease. PDGFRβ, but not KIT, may represent a therapeutic target in feline histiocytic disorders but more studies are needed to investigate other potential treatment targets.     

Genomic constitution of a partial amphiploid OK7211542 used as a source of immunity to barley yellow dwarf virus for bread wheat

A combination of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and meiotic pairing analysis of crosses between a series of 2n= 56 partial amphiploids confirmed that the alien genome of the BYDV-immune Agro-tricum line OK7211542 is derived from Thinopyrum ponticum and not from Thinopyrum intermedium. The evidence from meiotic pairing analysis indicated that the chromosome constitution of OK7211542 is similar to another Agrotricum line, ORRPX, which was derived from a cross of wheat and Th. ponticum, but different from other Agrotricum lines, Zhong 5 and TAF 46 which were derived from the crosses between wheat and Th. intermedium. The GISH analysis confirmed that OK7211542 contained one complete set of 14 Th. ponticum chromosomes, in which no S chromosome was present in the alien genome. GISH also detected a small alien translocation attached to one of the wheat chromosomes, a result that was consistent with the pairing data.     

Enantioselective catalysis for agrochemicals: synthetic routes to (S)-metolachlor, (R)-metalaxyl and (αS,3R)-clozylacon

The application of enantioselective catalytic methods for the technical preparation of chiral agrochemicals is illustrated for three active ingredients of the acylanilide type. The key step for the technical synthesis of the herbicide (S)-metolachlor is the enantioselective hydrogenation of an imine intermediate using a novel iridium ferrocenyldiphosphine catalyst with an unprecedented high activity and 80% ee. (R)-metalaxyl and (αS,3R)-clozylacon were synthesized via the enantioselective hydrogenation of corre-sponding enamide precursors with Rh and Ru/binap catalysts with >95% and 99% enantiomeric purity, respectively. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry