Evaluation of a 15‐week CHOP protocol for the treatment of canine multicentric lymphoma

Dose intense CHOP protocols have been shown to improve outcome for people with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, but evaluation of dose intense CHOP protocols for canine lymphoma is currently limited. The hypothesis of this retrospective study was that a 15‐week dose intense CHOP protocol would have shorter treatment duration with similar efficacy to other doxorubicin‐based multidrug protocols. Thirty‐one client owned dogs with multicentric lymphoma were treated with a 15‐week CHOP chemotherapy protocol with an overall response rate of 100% and a median progression‐free interval (PFI) of 140 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 91–335 days]. Dogs that had two or more treatment delays had significantly prolonged PFI and overall survival in multivariate analysis. Dose intensity did not correlate with patient outcome. Dogs experiencing multiple treatment delays secondary to adverse events may receive their individual maximally tolerated dose while dogs with no adverse events may be underdosed. Future studies should focus on individual patient dose optimization.     

Effect of Iron Source on Color and Appearance of Micronutrient‐Fortified Corn Flour Tortillas

Iron deficiency anemia is a widespread occurrence. Consequently, iron is commonly added in cereal fortification programs. However, many iron sources cause undesirable sensory changes, especially color changes, in the food being fortified. This study evaluated the effect of different iron sources on CIE L*a*b* color values and sensory color perception in fortified corn tortillas. Corn masa flour was fortified with micronutrient premix containing vitamins, zinc, and one of eight iron compounds. Iron sources included ferrous fumarate (F), ferrous sulfate (S), ferric orthophosphate (OP), ferrous lactate (L), ferrous gluconate (G), ferric pyrophosphate (PP), sodium iron (III)‐EDTA, and A‐131 electrolytic iron (E), with addition levels adjusted based on bioavailability. Control (Ct) samples were prepared with all micronutrients except iron. All iron‐fortified tortillas had lower L* values and were significantly darker than control tortillas. Based on instrumental color values and Mexican regulatory recommendations, five treatments were selected for further testing. A difference‐from‐control sensory test was conducted comparing PP, E, OP, F, and S with Ct tortillas. Sensory rankings were C t > E = PP > OP > F > S. A‐131 electrolytic iron is recommended for fortification of corn tortillas due to minimal effect on color and significantly lower cost than other iron sources evaluated.     

Identification of key climatic factors regulating the transport of pesticides in leaching and to tile drains

BACKGROUND: Key climatic factors influencing the transport of pesticides to drains and to depth were identified. Climatic characteristics such as the timing of rainfall in relation to pesticide application may be more critical than average annual temperature and rainfall. The fate of three pesticides was simulated in nine contrasting soil types for two seasons, five application dates and six synthetic weather data series using the MACRO model, and predicted cumulative pesticide loads were analysed using statistical methods. RESULTS: Classification trees and Pearson correlations indicated that simulated losses in excess of 75th percentile values (0.046 mg m(-2) for leaching, 0.042 mg m(-2) for drainage) generally occurred with large rainfall events following autumn application on clay soils, for both leaching and drainage scenarios. The amount and timing of winter rainfall were important factors, whatever the application period, and these interacted strongly with soil texture and pesticide mobility and persistence. Winter rainfall primarily influenced losses of less mobile and more persistent compounds, while short-term rainfall and temperature controlled leaching of the more mobile pesticides. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous climatic characteristics influenced pesticide loss, including the amount of precipitation as well as the timing of rainfall and extreme events in relation to application date. Information regarding the relative influence of the climatic characteristics evaluated here can support the development of a climatic zonation for European-scale risk assessment for pesticide fate.     

Clinical presentation,treatment and outcome in 31 dogs with presumed primary colorectal lymphoma (2001–2013)

The objective of this multicentre retrospective study was to describe clinical presentation, treatment and outcome and to determine prognostic factors for dogs with presumed primary colorectal lymphoma (PCRL). A total of 31 dogs were included. The predominant features of PCRL were high grade (n = 18) and immunophenotype B (n = 24). Most dogs were substage b (n = 25) with higher prevalence of haematochezia (n = 20). One dog had surgery only. Thirty dogs received chemotherapy; amongst them 13 had surgery or radiotherapy. Progression free survival (PFS) was 1318 days and disease‐related median survival time (MST) was 1845 days. Fourteen dogs were alive at the end of the study with a median follow‐up time of 684 days (3–4678 days). Younger dogs had longer PFS (P = 0.031) and disease‐related MST (P = 0.01). Presence of haematochezia corresponded with longer PFS (P = 0.02). Addition of local treatment to chemotherapy did not significantly improve the outcome (P = 0.584). Canine PCRL has considerably longer PFS and MST than other forms of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma.