FACTORS INFLUENCING SURVIVAL AFTER RADIOTHERAPY OF NASAL TUMORS IN 130 DOGS

Improvements in survival of dogs with nasal tumors have been slow to develop throughout the past three decades. Despite multiple studies examining various radiation time-dose schema, the advancement of CT-based computerized treatment planning, and the evaluation of detailed staging systems, the optimal treatment regimen, and most important prognostic factors regarding survival remain unclear. In this study, data from four previous studies were combined with data from 44 additional dogs, and this population of 130 dogs was evaluated for factors which influenced survival. Twenty-one dogs were treated with orthovoltage at the University of Pennsylvania. One hundred nine dogs were treated with cobalt photons at North Carolina State University. Sixty-five of these 109 dogs had been previously described. Of the 44 dogs not previously described, 35 were treated with a shrinking field technique. Survival was determined from the medical record, or from information derived by telephone or mail survey. The univariate Cox regression model was used to examine for relationship between various patient, tumor, and treatment variables and survival. Significant relationships identified in the univariate analysis were further analyzed using the multivariate Cox regression model. Median survival of the 130 dogs was 8.9 months (95% C.I., 8-11 months). In the univariate analysis, the following variables were associated with decreased survival: 1) age >10 years old, 2) regional lymph node metastasis, 3) advanced tumor stage, 4) use of megavoltage radiation, 5) overall total dose >55 Gray, and 6) boost technique performed. In a multivariate analysis of 125 dogs with complete data for age, radiation type, and radiation dose, age (p < .001) and radiation type (p = .02) were identified as joint predictors of survival. After adjusting for age, the staging system lost prognostic significance (p = .06). In a subset of dogs that received cobalt radiation, after adjusting for age, dogs treated with a boost technique had decreased survival (p = .001). In general, local control of canine nasal tumors following aggressive radiation therapy is poor. Early diagnosis and selection of appropriate patients is warranted and palliative types of treatment should be considered in dogs with a poor chance of long term survival.     

Expression of podoplanin in various types of feline tumor tissues

Podoplanin is expressed in various human tumors where it promotes tumor progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and distant metastasis. Podoplanin is also expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts and induces tumor malignancy. The objective of this study was to evaluate podoplanin expression in various types of feline tumor tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that podoplanin was expressed in cells of 13/15 (87%) squamous cell carcinomas and 5/19 (26%) fibrosarcomas. Moreover, cancer-associated fibroblasts expressed podoplanin in most tumor types, including 18/21 (86%) mammary adenocarcinoma tissues. Our findings demonstrate that various types of feline tumor tissues expressed podoplanin, indicating the importance of the comparative aspects of podoplanin expression, which may be used as a novel research model for podoplanin biology.     

以韩国茶馆经营模式为例探讨中国茶馆经营新模式

乐活之风已席卷全球,乐活式生活及消费方式受消费者的欢迎,因此按照乐活信念购买的消费者越来越多,变成购买力非常大的一个消费群体。本文阐述了乐活的基本概念、乐活族对食品,尤其是对茶叶消费期望,然后列举韩国的茶馆及咖啡店营业实例,已提出摸索出中国茶馆的营业新模式。     

基于遥感影像数据的土壤制图研究进展

【目的】 数字土壤制图成本低、精度高,是刻画土壤环境变量的新技术和新工具,遥感技术在数字土壤制图业务化应用中发挥了重要作用,但是还存在诸多问题和不确定性。文章总结相关研究进展,以期为基于遥感影像数据的土壤数字制图提供有益参考。【方法】 梳理遥感技术在土壤类型与属性制图研究中的进展情况并进行总结展望,以期更好地发挥高空间、时间、光谱分辨率遥感数据在土壤数字制图方面的作用,为研发新模型、提高土壤制图模型精度提供信息支撑,为第三次全国土壤普查数字土壤制图提供有益参考。【结果】 遥感数据的特征与土壤发生学理论契合并推动了土壤制图的发展,但是,基于遥感的土壤制图技术在快速土壤环境变量因子提取、自适应制图指标筛选、满足多层级制图需求的土壤推测制图模型构建等方面还需要进一步深入探讨。【结论】 为了实现土壤类型与属性制图的业务化、流程化和自动化,未来的研究应该着眼于从“环境变量分析—评价指标体系筛选—预测模型构建”一体化解决方案入手,探讨如何融合多种遥感载荷、综合运用新型模型,以提高数字土壤制图的精度,为农业生产和土地资源管理提供更为精准的信息支撑。     

Epidemiology and clinical significance of canine distichiasis: A retrospective study of 291 cases

Objective

To describe the epidemiological factors and clinical significance of canine distichiasis.

Animals studied

Two hundred and ninety-one client-owned dogs.

Methods

Retrospective study of medical records for canine patients diagnosed with distichiasis between 2010 and 2019 in an ophthalmology specialty practice. The breed, sex, skull conformation, coat type, age at the time of diagnosis, reason for presentation, clinical examination findings, and affected eyelid(s) were reviewed.

Results

The prevalence of distichiasis was 5.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.9–6.1) in the population of dogs presented to an ophthalmology specialty practice. The breeds with the highest prevalence were English bulldogs (35.2%, 95% CI: 26.7–43.7) and American cocker spaniels (19.4%, 95% CI: 8.3–30.5). The prevalence was significantly higher in brachycephalic dogs (11.9%, 95% CI: 9.8–14.0) than in non-brachycephalic dogs (4.6%, 95% CI: 4.0–5.3) and in short-haired dogs (8.2%, 95% CI: 6.8–9.6) than in dogs with other coat types (5.3%, 95% CI: 4.5–6.1). Most dogs were affected bilaterally (63.6%, 95% CI: 58.0–69.1). Among dogs with clinical signs, 39.0% (95% CI: 26.5–51.4) exhibited corneal ulceration, including superficial ulcers (28.8%, 95% CI: 17.3–40.4) and deep stromal ulcers (10.2%, 95% CI: 2.5–17.8). Distichiasis was non-irritating in 85.0% (95% CI: 80.6–89.4) of affected dogs.

Conclusion

This study reports the largest cohort of canine distichiasis to date. In a large proportion of dogs, distichiasis was a non-irritating condition. However, brachycephalic breeds, especially English bulldogs, were the most frequently and severely affected.     

新城疫病毒抗恶性肿瘤研究进展

新城疫病毒属于副粘病毒科Rubulavirus属禽副粘病毒-1型(APMV-1)毒株，新城疫是一种急性、热性、败血性和高度接触性传染病。新城疫病毒通过溶瘤作用、诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡和分泌细胞因子等方法选择性杀伤肿瘤细胞。目前，传统的手术、化疗、放疗等治疗模式虽然能有效治疗部分肿瘤，但并不能全面降低肿瘤的复发率和死亡率。根据国内外研究报道，对新城疫病毒的概况以及该病毒溶瘤作用、抑瘤佐剂作用等抗恶性肿瘤机制展开了综述。     

Pot-bellied Vietnamese pig with visceral mast cell tumors and mastocytemia

An approximately 12-year-old female Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pig was presented to the Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine Food Animal Service for anorexia of 2 days duration. On physical examination, the patient appeared depressed and lethargic with significantly pale mucus membranes, open mouth breathing, and nostril flaring. On abdominal palpation, the abdomen was tense and uncomfortable. A complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry profile were performed. The CBC revealed significant anemia and mild leukocytosis characterized by mild neutrophilia with a left shift. Mast cells were rarely observed. Hematocrit = 8.1% (RI 22-50), RBC = 1.25 × 10⁶/μL (RI 3.6-7.8), WBC = 19.85 × 10³/μL (RI 5.2-17.9), Neutrophils = 15.08 × 10³/μL (RI 0-11.4), and Bands = 0.993 × 10³/μL (RI 0-0.019). The chemistry profile was unremarkable with a mildly elevated BUN and slightly decreased total protein and albumin (BUN = 39 mg/dL [RI 4.2-15.1], total protein = 6.2 g/dL [RI 6.6-8.9], and albumin = 2.5 g/dL [RI 3.6-5.0]). An abdominal ultrasound revealed numerous hypoechoic nodules diffusely scattered throughout the hepatic parenchyma. An FNA of one of the hepatic nodules was performed. A mild suppurative component and numerous variably granulated mast cells were observed. A presumptive cytologic diagnosis of mast cell tumor was made. Histopathology was performed, confirming the cytologic interpretation.