Orthovoltage radiation and weekly low dose of doxorubicin for the treatment of incompletely excised soft-tissue sarcomas in 39 dogs

The efficacy and toxicity of orthovoltage radiation therapy and concurrent low doses of doxorubicin for the treatment of incompletely excised soft-tissue sarcomas in 39 dogs was investigated retrospectively. The 39 dogs had 40 soft-tissue sarcomas and received 51 Gy orthovoltage radiation in 17 daily 3 Gy fractions; they also received 10 mg/m(2) doxorubicin once a week administered intravenously one hour before the dose of radiation. The median follow-up time was 910 days. The tumours recurred locally in seven of the dogs, in five of them within the radiation field; the median time to their recurrence was 213 days (range 63 to 555 days). Six of the dogs developed a distant metastasis after a median time of 276 days (range eight to 826 days). The one-year and two- to four-year tumour control rates were 84 per cent and 81 per cent, respectively, and the one-, two- and three- to four-year survival rates were 85 per cent, 79 per cent and 72 per cent, respectively. Tumours with a mitotic rate of more than 9 per 10 high-power fields were significantly more likely to recur, and the dogs with such tumours survived for significantly shorter periods.     

Treatment of canine mast cell tumors with CCNU (lomustine)

The efficacy and toxicity of CCNU (1-[2-chloroethyl]3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea) were evaluated in 23 dogs with measurable mast cell tumors (MCT). Twenty-two dogs had cutaneous MCT and 1 dog had an intranasal MCT Nineteen (83%) dogs had biopsy of their original mass performed and 4 (17%) had aspiration cytology of masses. Of the 19 tumors histologically graded, 1 (5%) neoplasm was classified as grade I, 10 (53%) were grade II, and the remaining 8 (42%) were grade III. Dogs were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 90 mg/m2 body surface area every 3 weeks. Response could be evaluated in 19 dogs. Eight of the 19 dogs (42%) had a measurable response to CCNU. One dog had a durable complete response for 440 days. Seven dogs (37%) had a partial response for a median and mean duration of 77 days and 109 days, respectively (range, 21-254 days). Treatment with CCNU resulted in stable disease in 6 dogs (32%) for a median and mean duration of 78 days and 122 days, respectively (range, 42-347 days). The acute dose-limiting toxicity was neutropenia 7 days after administration of CCNU. The median and mean neutrophil counts 7 days after CCNU were 1,452 cells/microL and 1,683 cells/microL, respectively (n = 17). Other toxicoses were uncommon. CCNU should be considered an active agent in the treatment of MCT in dogs.     

Genotypic yield responses of lowland rice in high-altitude cropping systems

Rising global mean temperatures open opportunities in high-altitude production systems for temperature-sensitive crops such as lowland rice. Currently, the cropping window for rice in higher altitudes is still narrow, and thus, genotypes that tolerate a certain degree of chilling are needed to achieve their potential yield. Final yield depends on the interaction between genotype and environmental conditions. Exposing the genotype to a wide range of environments is a way to evaluate its adaptability into an expanding cropping calendar. Over a 2-year period, an experiment was conducted in lowland rice systems in Madagascar at two locations differing in altitude. Twenty genotypes with contrasting levels of tolerance to low temperature were sown monthly in a non-replicated rice garden trial. Plant development was monitored and yield and yield components were determined. Yield stability across the different growing environments was investigated. While crop duration was affected by sowing dates and altitude, yield was mainly determined by sowing date. Panicle number per m² and number of spikelets per panicle were the most limiting factors for yield potential in mid-altitude, while in high altitude, yield was mainly limited by spikelet fertility. Resulting cropping calendar and genotype recommendations are discussed.     

Observing fish interactions with marine energy turbines using acoustic cameras

Marine current energy converters such as tidal and riverine turbines have the potential to provide reliable, clean power. The risk of collision of fishes with marine energy turbines is not yet well understood, in part due to the challenges associated with observing fish at turbine sites. Turbidity and light availability can limit the effectiveness of optical sensors like video cameras, motivating the use of acoustic cameras for this task. However, challenges persist in collecting and interpreting data acquired from acoustic cameras. Given the limited number of turbine deployments to date, it is prudent to draw on the application of acoustic cameras to monitor fish in other scenarios. This article synthesizes their use for other fisheries applications to inform best practices and set realistic expectations for the results of acoustic camera monitoring at turbine sites. We discuss six key tasks performed with acoustic cameras: detecting objects, identifying objects as fish, counting fish, measuring fish, classifying fish taxonomically and analysing fish behavior. Specific challenges to monitoring fish at turbine sites are discussed. This article is intended to serve as a reference for researchers, regulators and marine energy developers on effective use of acoustic cameras to monitor fish at turbine sites. The studies detailed in this article provide evidence that, in some scenarios, acoustic cameras can be used to inform the risk of fish collision with marine energy turbines but doing so requires careful study design and data processing.     

Social facilitation and development in Ephestia kühniella Z

Total time required for larval and pupal development in Ephestia kühniella Z. was significantly modified when habitable space of the food mass was increased by dilution with a nontoxic sawdust. Doubling the living space resulted in an increased developmental rate, presumably due to a reduction in the number of larval interactions. Tripling the living space, however, produced a somewhat unexpected delay in development, accompanied by a marked increase in variance about the means for both males and females.     

Anemia associated with feline leukemia virus infection.

One hundred feline leukemia virus-positive cats with evidence of anemia were examined to determine characteristics of the anemia. The anemia was usually normochromic and normocytic, with low reticulocyte counts but with normal white blood cell and platelet counts. About one third of the cats had splenomegaly. The bone marrow was usually hypocellular or normally cellular, with an increased myeloid to erythroid ratio. A history of recent stress or infection in many cases indicated that the immunosuppressive effect of feline leukemia virus may have been involved. Supportive treatment with periodic blood transfusions was successful in prolonging survival. Corticosteroids and androgens may have been beneficial in some cases.     

Milk and milk components reduce the motility of Ostertagia circumcincta larvae in vitro

AIM: To examine the effects in vitro of bovine milk and milk products and soymilk on the motility of sheathed and ex- sheathed L3 Ostertagia circumcincta (also known as Teladorsagia circumcincta) as a measure of larval viability and infectivity.

METHODS: L3 were exsheathed in 0.2% sodium hypochlorite, resuspended in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) pH 7.4 and incubated with test solutions at 37°C for up to 48 h. The motility of 50 larvae from each incubate was assessed at selected times using a McMaster slide. Larvae were considered immotile only if straight and not moving. Fresh bovine milk, homogenised milk (3.3% fat), low-fat milk (0.2% fat) and lamb milk replacer were diluted with HBSS pH 7.4 to concentrations from 1.6–100%, and incubated with exsheathed L3 for 1, 24 or 48 h. Bovine whey protein was tested in concentrations of 5–15% at pH 2.5–6.5, casein at 5 or 7.5%, and skim milk powder from 5–15% at pH 5.5 or 6.5, all for 2, 4 or 24 h. Soymilk was tested in concentrations of 1.6–100% for 1, 2, 24 or 48 h. HBSS was used as the control solution. Sheathed L3 were incubated in HBSS pH 7.4, 50% homogenised milk in HBSS, or 50% soymilk in HBSS. Each solution was incubated for 1, 2, 24 or 48 h.

RESULTS: The motility of exsheathed L3 was reduced by fresh bovine milk, homogenised milk, low-fat milk, lamb milk replacer, whey, casein and skim milk solutions, but not by soymilk. The mean percentage (and SE) immotile at 48 h were: fresh milk 38% (SE 20); homogenised milk 65% (SE 7); low-fat milk 57% (SE 5); lamb milk replacer 43% (SE 7); and soymilk 7% (SE 0.5). Larval immotility increased in whey protein solutions from 5–15%, from pH 2.5–6.5 and from 2 to 24 h (all p<0.001); in skim milk from 5–15% (p<0.001), and was greater at pH 6.5 than at pH 5.5 (p<0.001); in casein from 5–7.5% (p<0.001), but was no different at pH 5.5 and 6.5. The motility of sheathed L3 was reduced at 24 h (p=0.009) and 48 h (p<0.001) by 50% homogenised milk, but not by 50% soymilk or HBSS.

CONCLUSIONS: Bovine milk proteins, or components associated with the proteins, reduced the motility of both sheathed and exsheathed L3 O. circumcincta. Soymilk had no effect on nematode motility. Lower larval motility may reduce worm establishment and be a contributing factor to the smaller burdens of gastrointestinal nematodes in milk-fed animals compared with animals after weaning.