Hypotonic water as adjuvant therapy for incompletely resected canine mast cell tumors: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Objective— To evaluate efficacy of hypotonic water as adjuvant therapy after marginal resection of canine mast cell tumors (MCT).
Study Design— Double-blinded, placebo-controlled, prospective, randomized study.
Animals— Dogs (n=30) with spontaneous, cutaneous, solitary MCT.
Methods— The wound bed of MCT, resected with margins <0.5 cm, was injected with either hypotonic or isotonic water according to a standardized protocol. Follow-up was obtained by clinical examination at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months and annual telephone contact with the owner.
Results— Eighteen dogs were treated with isotonic lactated Ringer's solution and 12 dogs with hypotonic distilled water. All MCT were stage 0 tumors and most grade II. Six tumors (4 isotonic, 2 hypotonic) recurred locally, 3 of these dogs died from disease-related reasons within 4 months. The surviving 3 dogs were alive with a median survival time (ST) of 1092 days. The calculated 2-year recurrence-free rate was 92.7%; the 2-year disease-free rate 79.1%; and the 2-year survival rate 89.5%. No significant differences in local recurrence and ST were observed between treatment groups. Histologic grading was the only significant prognosticator for ST and recurrence-free periods.
Conclusion— No significant differences in local recurrence and ST were observed between adjunctive hypotonic water and placebo treatment after marginal resection of solitary MCT.
Clinical Relevance— Hypotonic water does not decrease the rate of local recurrence in dogs with solitary MCT after marginal surgical excision.     

Effects of small- and large-volume resuscitation on coagulation and electrolytes during experimental endotoxemia in anesthetized horses

BACKGROUND: Small-volume resuscitation (SVR) has been advocated in place of large-volume isotonic resuscitation for the treatment of endotoxemia in horses. The effects of this type of therapy during experimental endotoxemia on electrolytes and coagulation have not been evaluated in the horse. As part of a larger project, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of SVR (hypertonic saline solution [HSS] plus hetastarch [HES]) on coagulation and serum electrolytes concentration, and to compare SVR with large- and small-volume isotonic resuscitation during experimental endotoxemia in anesthetized horses. HYPOTHESIS: SVR does not affect coagulation parameters or serum electrolyte concentrations when compared with either small- or large-volume isotonic crystalloids. ANIMALS: Horses were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. Under halothane anesthesia, endotoxemia was induced by administering 50 microg/kg Escherichia coli endotoxin i.v. The horses were treated for 30 minutes with 15 mL/kg of balanced polyionic crystalloid solution (control), 60 mL/kg of balanced polyionic crystalloid solution (ISO), or 5 mL/kg of HSS followed by 10 mL/kg HES (HSS-HES). METHODS: Prospective randomized trial. RESULTS: Significant differences in coagulation parameters were not found among the groups. Thrombocytopenia was severe in all 3 groups. Serum ionized calcium concentration significantly decreased from baseline in control and ISO groups but not in the HSS-HES group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results suggest that the HSS-HES combination, at the dosage used in this study had no adverse effects on coagulation beyond those produced by endotoxemia. HSS-HES may have a protective effect against endotoxemia-induced ionized hypocalcemia.     

Clinical, histopathological and immunophenotypical findings in five horses with cutaneous malignant lymphoma

This study documents the clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and flow-cytometric findings in five horses with cutaneous non-epidermotropic malignant lymphoma (ML). The median survival time after discovery of the first subcutaneous nodules was 3.8 years (range 2-5 years: n=4). Histologically, the cutaneous ML had a pleiomorphic structure and contained a mixture of large reticulo-endothelial cells, medium-large sized lymphoid cells with a rounded nucleus and small nucleoli, many medium sized lymphoid cells with irregular nuclei, and some small lymphoid cells. Immunohistochemically (IHC) the lymphoid cells were positive for the pan-T-lymphocyte marker CD3 but negative for the B-lymphocyte markers CD21 and kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains. Although routine haematological examination revealed no abnormalities in the horses with cutaneous ML, changes in the peripheral blood lymphocyte population were apparent flow-cytometrically. Compared to clinically healthy horses, a decreased total percentage of cells was recorded in the lymphocyte gate. In three horses with cutaneous ML, an increase in CD4 positive cells was noticed in the monocyte gate. Flow-cytometric analysis of tumour cells collected by fine needle aspiration (FNA) suggested that the cutaneous MLs consisted primarily of CD4 and CD8 positive T-lymphocytes. The results were compared to those of a monomorphic multicentric T- and a monomorphic multicentric B-cell lymphoma. The results of immunohistochemistry and flow-cytometry were largely but not completely in accordance. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that cutaneous non-epitheliotropic malignant lymphomas in the horse are of T-cell origin and that, after improvement of its accuracy, flow cytometric analysis of FNAs might become a useful aid to rapid tumour identification.     

Bacillus cereus var. toyoi enhanced systemic immune response in piglets

Probiotic bacteria have been suggested to stimulate the host immune system. In this study we evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of probiotic Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on the systemic immunity of piglets. A pool of 70 piglets was divided into a probiotic or control group. We determined the ratios of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) subsets and measured proliferative responses and cytokine production of PBMCs and effects on vaccination responses. Blood samples of probiotic-treated piglets showed a significantly lower frequency of CD8(high)/CD3+ T cells and CD8(low)/CD3+ T cells and a significant higher CD4+/CD8+ ratio. IL-4 and IFN-gamma production of polyclonally stimulated PBMCs was on average higher in the probiotic group. Specific proliferative responses of PBMCs to Influenza vaccination antigens were significantly higher and antibody titers against H3N2 Influenza and Mycoplasma vaccination antigens were on average higher in the probiotic group. In conclusion, B. cereus var. toyoi therefore alters the immune status of piglets as indicated by changes in the ratios as well as functionalities of systemic immune cell populations.     

Are fishers poor? Getting to the bottom of marine fisheries income statistics

Fishers’ economic status is hard to assess because fisheries socio‐economic data, including earnings, are often not centrally available, standardized or accessible in a form that allows scaled‐up or comparative analyses. The lack of fishing income data impedes sound management and allows biased perceptions about fishers’ status to persist. We compile data from intergovernmental and regional data sets, as well as case‐studies, on income earned from marine wild‐capture fisheries. We explore the level and distribution of fishers’ income across fisheries sectors and geographical regions, and highlight challenges in data collection and reporting. We find that fishers generally are not the poorest of the poor based on average fishing income from 89 countries, but income levels vary widely. Fishing income in the large‐scale sector is higher than the small‐scale sector by about 2.2 times, and in high‐income versus low‐income countries by almost 9 times. Boat owners and captains earned more than double that of crew and owner‐operators, while income from fisheries is greater than that from agricultural work in 63% of countries in this study. Nonetheless, incomes are below national poverty lines in 34% of the countries with data. More detailed fishing income statistics is needed for quantitative scientific research and for supporting socio‐economic policies. Key gaps to address include the lack of a centralized database for fisheries income statistics and the coarse resolution at which economic statistics are reported internationally. A first step to close the gap is to integrate socio‐economic monitoring and reporting in fisheries management.     

History,current status and prospects of sturgeon aquaculture in Russia

Since natural sturgeon populations have drastically declined, aquaculture of these valuable fish is important to meet the ever‐increasing demand for meat and caviar, thereby reducing the pressure on natural sturgeon resources. There are two directions in sturgeon aquaculture: controlled propagation for release and commercial farming. The controlled propagation supports the conservation of natural fish populations, while the commercial cultivation of sturgeons supplies the needs of the consumer market with the delicacy production of caviar (mainly). This review deals with the current status of the controlled propagation and stocking in the Volga‐Caspian basin and the commercial farming of sturgeons in Russia. The article also investigates the management of farmed broodstocks of sturgeons, which are used for obtaining seedlings and caviar. It is for sure that the active and continuous development of the two directions of sturgeon aquaculture will allow preserving these unique ancient fish on our planet until natural populations can be re‐established by self‐sustaining populations.     

Contribution of marine fisheries to worldwide employment

Marine fisheries contribute to the global economy, from the catching of fish through to the provision of support services for the fishing industry. General lack of data and uncertainty about the level of employment in marine fisheries can lead to underestimation of fishing effort and hence over‐exploited fisheries, or result in inaccurate projections of economic and societal costs and benefits. To address this gap, a database of marine fisheries employment for 144 coastal nations was compiled. Gaps in employment data that emerged were filled using a Monte Carlo approach to estimate the number of direct and indirect fisheries jobs. We focused on estimating jobs in the small‐scale fishing sector. We characterized small‐scale fishing as (i) primarily geared towards household consumption or sale at the local level; (ii) conducted at a low level of economic activity; (iii) minimally mechanized; (iv) conducted within inshore areas; (v) minimally managed; and/or (vi) undertaken for cultural or ceremonial purposes. In total, we estimated that 260 ± 6 million people are involved in global marine fisheries, encompassing full‐time and part‐time jobs in the direct and indirect sectors, with 22 ± 0.45 million of those being small‐scale fishers. This is equivalent to 203 ± 34 million full‐time equivalent jobs. Study results can be used to improve management decision making and highlight the need to improve monitoring and reporting of the number of people employed in marine fisheries globally.     

Toxic secondary metabolite production in genetically modified potatoes in response to stress

Potatoes produce a number of toxic secondary metabolites, which are divided into two groups: the sesquiterpenes and the glycoalkaloids (PGAs): whereas PGAs are largely preformed and present in toxic quantities in both the foliage and "green" potatoes, it is well documented that the levels of PGAs and sesquiterpenes are effected by many biotic an abiotic stresses. The development of genetically modified potato varieties has made it prudent to ascertain whether there may be changes in the amounts or types of these secondary metabolites either as a direct effect of the transgene or due to its interactions with environmental variables. Transgenic potato lines were exposed, along with nontransgenic lines, to a range of biotic and abiotic stresses and a range of environmental conditions in the field and store. Following stressing, a comparison was made of levels of potato glycoalkaloid and sesquiterpene levels between the two groups. Significant differences were observed in the levels of both glycoalkaloid and sesquiterpene levels between transgenic and control material and between infected and noninfected material.