Hypofractionated radiation therapy for the treatment of microscopic canine soft tissue sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are locally invasive and surgery with or without radiation therapy is the current standard of care in dogs. Typical protocols for treating incompletely excised STSs involve curative intent radiation with total dose in excess of 50 Gy. Forty‐eight dogs with histologically confirmed incomplete or closely excised STSs were treated with a hypofractionated protocol that is typically reserved for palliative radiation therapy (RT) (6–8 Gy/weekly fractions to a total dose of 24–32 Gy). Ten dogs (21%) developed local recurrence, 11 dogs (23%) developed metastasis, and 3 dogs developed both (included in each group). The median progression free survival was 698 days. The local failure‐free probability at 1 and 3 years was 81 and 73%. The 1 and 3 years tumour‐specific overall survival was 81 and 61%. Long‐term local tumour control was achieved in the majority of dogs. This protocol is reasonable to prescribe in older patients or when financial limitations exist.     

Intra-operative cisplatin for the treatment of canine extremity soft tissue sarcomas

Nineteen dogs with histologically confirmed soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities were treated with a combination of marginal surgery and intra-operative chemotherapy in the form of cisplatin in a biodegradable implant delivery system (Atrigel^®; Atrix Laboratories, Fort Collins, Co, USA). None of the dogs had evidence of metastasis at time of treatment. The median dose of cisplatin was 52.1 mg/m² (mean 55.4 mg/m², range 18.5–108.6 mg/m²). Wound complications were noted in 16 dogs (84.2%). Median follow-up time was 874 days (mean 777 days, range 125–1463 days). Nine dogs (47.3%) were alive at the time of analysis. Local recurrence occurred in three dogs (16.6%). The time to recurrence was 214, 264 and 874 days.     

硅钙复混肥对玉米抗倒性及产量的影响

据报道 ,水稻施用硅肥后 ,能提高植株体内ＳｉＯ2 含量 ,提高细胞壁的强度 ,进而株形挺拔、抗倒伏。小麦试验亦表明 ,施硅增加冬小麦表皮细胞壁厚度和硅化细胞数量 ,提高茎秆刚性。但到目前为止 ,关于施硅钙肥对玉米抗倒性能及产量影响的报导甚少。为此 ,我们探讨了在正常密度条件下 ,施用硅钙复混肥对玉米抗倒伏及其产量的影响 ,为科学施用硅钙肥提供理论依据。1　材料与方法本项目于 1 996年布置在辽宁省农业科学院土肥所试验地上 ,土壤为壤质草甸土 ,其理化性质为有机质 2 8.45ｇ/ｋｇ ,全氮 0 .0 93%,全磷 0 .8ｇ/ｋｇ ,全钾 2 8.1 5ｇ/…     

Antibody production and tissue irritation in swine vaccinated with Actinobacillus bacterins containing various adjuvants

The effects that Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae bacterins containing paraffin (mineral) oil, Al(OH)3, or lecithin-base oil adjuvants had on antibody production and muscle irritation were studied. Four hundred and thirty-two pigs were vaccinated twice (864 injection sites) at a 30-day interval. To assess effects of skin surface contamination on tissue reaction, 247 of the injections were made through skin soiled with manure. Serum samples for antibody determination and tissue samples were obtained at slaughter (15 to 90 days after vaccination). Bacterins containing Al(OH)3 or 5% lecithin-base oil as an adjuvant resulted in minimal tissue irritation. Bacterins containing paraffin oil or greater than 20% lecithin-base oil were more irritating to muscle, often resulting in a granuloma or an abscess at the injection site. Pigs given bacterins containing Al(OH)3 adjuvant had lower antibody titers than did pigs given bacterins containing paraffin oil or lecithin-base oil adjuvants.     

Use of mandibular symphysiotomy to allow extensive caudal hemimaxillectomy in a dog

A 5-year-old dog was presented with a large caudal maxillary osteosarcoma, which was causing extreme pain on opening of the mouth. The mass was not resectable through a standard oral approach. This article describes the successful use of mandibular symphysiotomy to allow extensive caudal hemimaxillectomy to remove the mass and provide excellent postoperative quality of life for the dog.