Cardiac troponin I in canine patients with lymphoma and osteosarcoma receiving doxorubicin: comparison with clinical heart disease in a retrospective analysis

The cumulative cardiotoxicity that occurs as a result of doxorubicin chemotherapy is irreversible and can affect both quality and quantity of life for the cancer patient. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a sensitive and specific marker of cardiomyocyte death. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate serum concentrations of cTnI in dogs with lymphoma or osteosarcoma given doxorubicin chemotherapy, and with known cardiac outcome, based on a minimum assessment by physical examination and thoracic radiography. Serum samples were also available for cTnI measurement from seven healthy dogs given intracoronary doxorubicin. Serial serum samples obtained before, during and after doxorubicin chemotherapy showed increased cTnI concentrations in some clinical patients following chemotherapy (P = 0.0083 compared to baseline), but this did not correlate with clinical signs of cardiomyopathy. In dogs that subsequently developed cardiomyopathy however, serum cTnI concentrations were elevated before clinical signs became evident (confirmed with echocardiography).     

Veterinary Toxicovigilance: Objectives,Means and Organisation in France

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Tall oil fatty acid inclusion in the diet improves performance and increases ileal density of lactobacilli in broiler chickens

1. Studies were conducted with tall oil fatty acids (TOFA) to determine their effect on broiler chicken performance and ileal microbiota. TOFA, a product originating from coniferous trees and recovered by fractional distillation of side-streams from pulp production, mainly comprises free long-chain fatty acids (~90%) and resin acids (~8%). Conjugated linolenic acids and pinolenic acid are characteristic fatty acid components of TOFA.

2. TOFA products at 750 mg/kg feed were tested in two 35-day broiler chicken trials, each using a wheat soya-based diet and with 12 replicate pens per treatment. In both trials, TOFA improved body weight gain at all time points (P < 0.001) and feed conversion efficiency during the first 21 days (P < 0.01). Two different dry TOFA formulations (silica carrier and palm oil coating) were tested and showed performance effects similar to liquid TOFA.

3. Ileal digesta of the broiler chickens was analysed for total eubacteria, Lactobacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens on days 14 and 35. TOFA significantly increased total eubacteria and lactobacilli density on day 14 (P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between these bacterial groups and broiler body weight on day 14 (P < 0.01).

4. A numerical reduction in C. perfringens was observed. In vitro growth inhibition studies showed that C. perfringens was strongly inhibited by 10 mg/l TOFA (P < 0.001), while common lactobacilli were resistant to >250 mg/l. The in vitro results were thus in line with in vivo observations.

5. The mechanisms behind the bacterial shifts and their role in performance improvement are unknown. Further purification of TOFA components is needed to identify the effective agents.     

Role of ovary-inhibiting hormone from eyestalks of marine penaeid prawns (Parapenaeopsis hardwickii) during ovarian developmental cycle

The activity of the ovary-inhibiting hormone in the eyestalks of female prawns, Parapenaeopsis hardwickii, was determined during its ovarian developmental cycle. In the inactive (stage I) and post-spawned phases of ovarian development, the ovary-inhibiting hormone activity was found to be very high. During the phase of full vitellogenesis (stage IV), the inhibiting activity is almost negligible. After spawning (stage V) it is present, but at a lower level than during inactive and post-spawned phases. Hence it is inferred that ovary-inhibiting hormone appears to be responsible for the phase of ovarian quiescence and to control the rate of vitellogenesis.     

Proposals for a Sangay National Park in Ecuador

This paper describes the main features of the Sangay wilderness area in the Ecuadorian Andes. It is a region of great diversity with life zones ranging from tundra to subtropical rain forest. The conservation value of the area is assessed and the feasibility of protection determined. Boundaries based mainly on the limits of human interference are put forward with management proposals for its establishment as a National Park.     

A comparison of methods of recovering oesophageal extrusa from grazing sheep

Extrusa samples were collected from two groups of oesophageally fistulated sheep grazing together. One group had foam plastic oesophageal plugs fitted below the fistula to assist in the complete collection of extrusa; the second group grazed without plugs. The extrusa were collected in four periods chosen to cover as wide a range of herbage conditions as possible varying from herbage with a high proportion of green leaves to predominantly dry material with a high proportion of dead leaves and stems. The plant components of the extrusa were determined and there was no evidence that stems or any other plant component preferentially by-pass the fistula in grazing sheep. It was concluded that it is not necessary to insert foam plastic plugs in the oesophagus of grazing sheep to obtain representative samples of ingested herbage.