Developing and testing prognostic bio‐scoring systems for canine mammary gland carcinomas

Canine mammary carcinomas (CMC) represent a range of histolopathological subtypes with diverse biological behaviours. Several individual factors, including stage, grade, subtypes and presence of invasion, predict outcome. Less is known how these factors interact and impact prognosis. The purpose of this work was to develop and test comprehensive bio‐scoring systems in CMCs. Clinical and histopathological data from 127 dogs with MCs treated through two prospective studies were obtained. All dogs underwent standardized pre‐surgical staging, treatments and regular follow‐up visits. All tumours were evaluated, classified and graded according to published guidelines. Time to primary metastasis was the main endpoint in this study. Two bio‐scoring systems were developed: The multivariate scoring (MVS) was based on traditional statistical analysis where only factors significant in the multivariate analysis (tumour size and grade) were kept for the final model. The refined flexible scoring (RFS) system was based on results from subgroup analysis, which guided the development of a flexible system. Progressive worsening prognosis was observed with increasing bio‐scores in both systems. MVS: Median primary metastasis‐free survival (TTM1 days) was not reached in dogs with bio‐scores 0 to 5, 10, 15 and 648, 149, 317, in MVS groups 25, 30, 40, respectively. Similarly, TTM1 was not reached in dogs with RFS 0, 1, 2 and 374, 407 and 149, in dogs with bio‐scores 3, 4, 5, respectively. However, a more distinct separation between dogs with high risk vs low risk for metastasis was observed with RFS, suggesting superior overall prognostication regarding the risk for metastasis.     

Anesthetic potency of sevoflurane with and without nitrous oxide in mechanically ventilated Dumeril monitors

OBJECTIVE: To determine the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane and assess the sevoflurane-sparing effect of coadministration of nitrous oxide in mechanically ventilated Dumeril monitors (Varanus dumerili). DESIGN: Prospective crossover study. ANIMALS: 10 healthy adult Dumeril monitors. PROCEDURE: Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane in 100% oxygen or sevoflurane in 66% nitrous oxide (N2O) with 34% oxygen, delivered through a face mask. Monitors were endotracheally intubated, and end-tidal and inspired isoflurane concentrations were measured continuously; MAC was determined by use of a standard bracketing technique. An electrical stimulus (50 Hz, 50 V) was delivered to the ventral aspect of the tail as the supramaximal stimulus. A blood sample for blood gas analyses was collected from the ventral coccygeal vessels at the beginning and end of the anesthetic period. An interval of at least 7 days was allowed to elapse between treatments. RESULTS: The MAC +/- SDs of sevoflurane in oxygen and with N2O were 2.51 +/- 0.46% and 1.83 +/- 0.33%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the 2 treatments, and the mean MAC-reducing effect of N2O was 26.4 +/- 11.4%. Assuming simple linear additivity of sevoflurane and N2O, the MAC for N2O was estimated to be 244%. No significant differences in blood gas values--with the predictable exception of oxygen pressure--were detected between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The MAC of sevoflurane in Dumeril monitors is similar to that reported for other species. The addition of N2O significantly decreased the MAC of sevoflurane in this species.     

Validation of human recombinant tissue factor-activated thromboelastography on citrated whole blood from clinically healthy dogs

BACKGROUND: Thromboelastography (TEG) is an analytical method that enables global assessment of hemostatic function in whole blood (WB) with evaluation of both plasma and cellular components of hemostasis. TEG has a largely unused potential in the diagnostic workup and monitoring of dogs with hemostatic disorders and it may be a valuable supplement to traditional coagulation parameters. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to establish a clinically applicable reference interval for a TEG assay using recombinant human tissue factor (TF) as the activator on citrated WB from clinically healthy dogs and to evaluate the stability of citrated WB stored for 30 minutes (T30) and 120 minutes (T120) at room temperature (RT). Additionally, we evaluated the analytical variation in reaction time (R), clotting time (K), angle (alpha), and maximum amplitude (MA). METHODS: Blood was collected from 18 clinically healthy dogs. Duplicate TEG analyses with TF as the activator at a concentration of 1:50,000 were performed on canine citrated WB at T30 and T120. R, K, a, and MAwere analyzed. RESULTS: Mean TEG values at T30/T120 were R = 5.61/4.91 minutes, K = 4.20/3.34 minutes, alpha = 45.33/50.90 degrees , and MA = 47.96/50.19 mm. Significant differences in these values were observed after storage for T30 and T120 at RT, with a tendency towards hypercoagulability at T120. The mean coefficients of variation were low. CONCLUSIONS: Canine citrated WB can be used for TEG analysis with human recombinant TF as the activator when stored at RT for T30 or T120. At both time points, the analytical variation was low, suggesting that TEG analysis may be of value in evaluating dogs with hemostatic disorders. A fixed time point should be chosen for serial measurements.     

Evaluation of a commercially available human C-reactive protein (CRP) turbidometric immunoassay for determination of canine serum CRP concentration

Background: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase marker in dogs that is useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory disease. Rapid, reliable, and automated assays are preferable for routine evaluation of canine serum CRP concentration.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether canine serum CRP concentration could be measured reliably using an automated turbidometric immunoassay (TIA) designed for use with human serum.
Methods: A commercially available TIA for human serum CRP (Bayer, Newbury, UK) was used to measure canine serum CRP concentration. Cross-reactivity of antigen was evaluated by the Ouchterlony procedure. Intra-and interassay imprecision was investigated by multiple measurements on canine serum samples and serum pools, respectively. Assay inaccuracy was investigated by linearity under dilution and comparison of methodologies (canine CRP ELISA, Tridelta Development Ltd, Kildare, UK). Then the assay was applied to serum samples from 14 clinically healthy dogs, 11 dogs with neoplasia, 13 with infections, 8 with endocrine or metabolic diseases, and 10 with miscellaneous diseases.
Results: Cross-reactivity between canine serum CRP and the anti-human CRP antibody was found. Intra-and interassay imprecision ranged from 5.2% to 10.8% and 3.0% to 10.2%, respectively. Serum CRP concentration was measured in a linear and proportional manner. There was no significant disagreement and there was linear correlation of the results in the comparison of methodologies, except for a slight proportional discrepancy at low CRP concentrations (<10 μg/mL). Dogs with infections had a significantly higher concentration of serum CRP than did all other dogs, and dogs with neoplasia had a significantly higher concentration of serum CRP than did clinically healthy dogs.
Conclusions: Canine serum CRP concentration can be measured reliably using the commercially available TIA designed for human CRP.     

Effects of donor plant temperature,photoperiod, and age on anther culture response of Capsicum annuum L.

Summary Effects of temperature and photoperiod for donor plant growth on embryo formation in Capsicum annuum anther culture were investigated. Donor plants were grown in glasshouses at minimum temperatures between 16 and 30° C and at photoperiods between 11 and 19 h. Anthers were collected from individual plants over five to nine week periods to test the significance of donor plant age. Embryos were obtained at all temperature regimes with a calculated optimum temperature of 26.4° C. Embryo formation was unaffected by the photoperiods tested. Embryo formation varied among successive samplings. However, a significant decline in anther culture response with increasing donor plant age was observed in all three experiments.Abbreviations AT average air temperature the week before anther incubation - EMB 100 1n (embryos per 100 anthers +1)     

Oral 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in prevention of milk fever

The effect of daily oral doses of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D₃ (1,25-(OH)₂D₃) on plasma mineral concentrations and incidence of milk fever was tested in 39 aged cows. Three dose levels of 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ (0, 100 and 200 µg/d) were compared in cows supplemented with 100 g Ca/d (250 g CaCO₃) and in cows receiving no Ca supplement. 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ treatments were given from day 5 before expected calving (day –5) until the day after calving (Calving = day 0).Expected minima in Ca concentrations in plasma were seen on day 1 in placebo treated cows, while Ca concentrations in 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ treated cows were normal or increased in the period from start of treatment until day 3–5. In the parturient period (day –1 to +2) 1 of 21 treated cows developed milk fever, as compared to 4 of 18 untreated. A pronounced hypocalcaemia developed, however, in the 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ treated cows from day 3 to 5 onwards, culminating day 8–11 with 7 cases of milk fever. Ca supplements reduced the development of hypocalcaemia in the 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ treated cows, but could not completely prevent the occurrence of milk fever.     

Fetal Loss in a Group of Danish L x Y Sows: A Preliminary Study

Contents: The magnitude of fetal loss was studied in 13 Danish Landrace & Yorkshire (L&Y) crosses. The ovulation rate and number of fetuses were recorded following ovariohysterectomy on days 46–112 of pregnancy. On the basis of these figures the mean ovulation rate, litter size, fetal loss and transcornual migration were found to be 15.5., 12.2., 21.4% and 13.7%, respectively. It is concluded that the extent of fetal loss is smaller than expected from the literature .