A complication probability study for a definitive‐intent,moderately hypofractionated image‐guided intensity‐modulated radiotherapy protocol for anal sac adenocarcinoma in dogs

Previous trials showed the importance of administering radiation therapy (RT) with small doses per fraction in canine pelvic tumours to maintain acceptable toxicity levels. With increased accuracy/precision of RT, namely intensity‐modulated RT (IMRT), this approach might be challenged. Theoretical toxicity calculations for a new definitive‐intent moderately hypofractionated RT protocol for canine anal sac adenocarcinomas (ASAC) were performed, focussing on the risk of toxicity in pelvic organs at risk (OAR). Computed tomography datasets of 18 dogs with stage 3b ASAC were included. Re‐planning with margins for daily image‐guidance/IMRT was performed and a new protocol isoeffective to previously described definitive‐intent protocols was computed. Dose‐volume information were derived from individual plans and used for normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) computations. A 12 × 3.8 Gy protocol was computed for risk estimation. Tumour volumes ranged from 27.9 to 820.4 cm³ (mean 221.3 cm³ ± 188.9). For late rectal toxicity/bleeding ≥grade 2, median risk probability was 2.3% inter quartile range (IQR: 5.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2, 8.4) (rho = 0.436) and 3.4% (IQR: 0.96; 95%CI: 3.1, 4.0) (rho = 0.565), respectively. Median late toxicities in urinary bladder, kidneys and small bowel were <1%, except in one kidney. Myelopathy/myelonecrosis had a median risk probability of 4.1% (IQR: 23.5; 95%CI: 2.1, 25.2) (rho = 0.366) and 5.6% (IQR: 13.5; 95%CI: 3.1, 14.1) (rho = 0.363), respectively. However, graded risk showed a probability estimate for late spinal cord toxicity of ≥5% in 8/18 patients. The daily‐imaging IMRT 12 × 3.8 Gy protocol for canine ASAC seems tolerable for most cases, even in advanced disease. Theoretical dose computations serve as estimate, but are safe measures before implementing new protocols into clinical use.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN 13 HORSES WITH LYMPHOMA

Ultrasonography and radiography are commonly used for staging of lymphoma in horses, however there is little published information on imaging characteristics for horses with confirmed disease. The purpose of this retrospective, case series study was to describe ultrasonographic and radiographic findings for a group of horses with a confirmed diagnosis of lymphoma. A total of 13 horses were sampled. Lymphadenopathy (8/13), peritoneal effusion (6/13), splenic (6/13), and hepatic (5/13) lesions were the most frequently identified. The predominant splenic and hepatic ultrasonographic lesions were hypoechoic nodules, organomegaly, and changes in echogenicity. Digestive tract lesions were detected in three horses and these included focal thickening and decreased echogenicity of the small (2/13) and large intestinal (2/13) wall. Thoracic lesions were predominantly pleural effusion (4/13), lymphadenopathy (4/13), and lung parenchymal changes (3/13). Enlarged lymph nodes were detected radiographically (4/13) and/or ultrasonographically (2/13) in the thorax and ultrasonographically in the abdomen (7/13) and in the caudal cervical region (4/13). Findings supported the use of abdominal and thoracic ultrasonography for lymphoma staging in horses. Ultrasound landmarks for localizing cecal and caudal deep cervical lymph nodes were also provided.     

The new carotenoid pigment moraxanthin is associated with toxic microalgae

The new pigment "moraxanthin" was found in natural samples from a fish mortality site in the Inland Bays of Delaware, USA. Pure cultures of the species, tentatively named Chattonella cf. verruculosa, and natural samples contained this pigment as a dominant carotenoid. The pigment, obtained from a 10 L culture of C. cf. verruculosa, was isolated and harvested by HPLC and its structure determined from MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR. The data identified this pigment as a new acylated form of vaucheriaxanthin called moraxanthin after the berry like algal cell. Its presence in pure cultures and in natural bloom samples indicates that moraxanthin is specific to C. cf. verruculosa and can be used as a marker of its presence when HPLC is used to analyze natural blooms samples.     

Pulmonary carcinosarcoma in a cat.

A Domestic Shorthaired cat was presented with coughing and severe respiratory distress. Thoracic radiographs revealed a lobar mass and numerous additional cavitated intrapulmonary masses. The cat was euthanized and submitted for necropsy. Histological examination of the large mass revealed 2 distinct neoplastic components consisting of bronchial adenocarcinoma admixed with neoplastic areas composed of highly atypical undifferentiated spindle cells (sarcomatous component). Simultaneous expression of vimentin and cytokeratin by a subpopulation of neoplastic epithelial cells and by rare neoplastic spindle cells was identified. On the basis of histology and immunohistochemical results, a diagnosis of primary pulmonary carcinosarcoma with intrapulmonary epithelial metastases was made. Pulmonary carcinosarcoma is a well-known pathological entity in humans. It is a rare tumor in animals and has not been previously reported in cat.     

Antioxidant Properties of Fermented Soy during Shelf Life

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Glycine max (soybean) is a fundamental food in human nutrition, largely utilized by the consumers, and in particular, fermented soy is mainly used. However, health...     

Characterization of “Mais delle Fiorine” (Zea mays L.) and nutritional,morphometric and genetic comparison with other maize landraces of Lombardy region (Northern Italy)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The loss of agrobiodiversity is a topic of global impact. On a local scale, Lombardy, in the Alpine macro-Region, has lost more than 78% of its plant...     

Treatment of intracranial neoplasia in dogs using higher doses: A randomized controlled trial comparing a boosted to a conventional radiation protocol

BackgroundLocal progression of intracranial tumors can be the consequence of insufficient radiation dose delivered. Dose increases in the brain must be made carefully so as not to risk debilitating adverse effects such as radiation necrosis.HypothesisA new protocol with 10 × 4 Gy + 11% physical dose increase limited to the macroscopic tumor volume results in a clinically better outcome compared to a 10 × 4 Gy protocol.AnimalsFifty‐seven client‐owned dogs with primary intracranial neoplasia.MethodsRandomized controlled trial. Twenty‐eight dogs were assigned to the control protocol (10 × 4 Gy) and 29 to the simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) protocol with 4.45 Gy dose increase. Treatment groups were compared for outcome and signs of toxicity.ResultsMild, transient acute or early‐delayed adverse radiation effects were observed in 5 dogs. Severe late adverse effects were not seen. Between the protocols, no significant differences were found for outcome (intention‐to‐treat analysis): overall time to progression (TTP) was 708 days (95% confidence interval (95% CI) [545,872]), in the control group it was 828 days (95% CI [401,1256]), and in the SIB group 627 days (95% CI [282,973]; P = .07). Median overall survival (OS) was 684 days (95% CI [516,853]), in the control group it was 724 days (95% CI [623,826]), and in the SIB group 557 days (95% CI [95,1020]; P = .47). None of the tested variables was prognostic in terms of outcome.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceThe dose escalation used with an 11% physical dose increase did not result in better outcome.     

For how long does the quality and quantity of residues in the soil affect the carbon compartments and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-C emissions?

Purpose

The mineralization/immobilization of nutrients from the crop residues is correlated with the quality of the plant material and carbon compartments in the recalcitrant and labile soil fractions. The objective of this study was to correlate the quality and quantity of crop residues incubated in the soil with carbon compartments and CO₂-C emission, using multivariate analysis.

Materials and methods

The experiment was conducted in factorial 4?+?2?+?5 with three replicates, referring to three types of residues (control, sugarcane, Brachiaria, and soybean), and two contributions of the crop residues in constant rate, CR (10 Mg ha^?1 residue), and agronomic rate, AR (20, 8, and 5 Mg ha^?1 residue, respectively, for sugarcane, soybean, and Brachiaria), evaluated five times (1, 3, 6, 12, and 48 days after incubation). At each time, we determined the CO₂-C emission, nitrogen and organic carbon in the soil, and the residues. In addition, the microbial biomass and water-soluble, labile, and humic substance carbons fractionated into fulvic acids, humic acids and humin were quantified.

Results and discussion

Higher CO₂-C emissions occurred in the soil with added residue ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 g CO₂-C m^?2 h^?1 in the first 6 days of incubation, and there was a positive correlation with the less labile organic soil fractions as well as residue type. In the final period, after 12 days of soil incubation, there was a higher relation of CO₂-C emission with carbon humin. The sugarcane and soybean residue (20 Mg ha^?1) promoted higher CO₂-C emission and the reduction of carbon residue. The addition of residue contributed to an 82.32 % increase in the emission of CO₂-C, being more significant in the residue with higher nitrogen availability.

Conclusions

This study shows that the quality and quantity of residue added to soil affects the carbon sequestration and CO₂-C emission. In the first 6 days of incubation, there was a higher CO₂-C emission ratio which correlates with the less stable soil carbon compartments as well as residue. In the final period of incubation, there is no effect of quality and quantity of residue added to soil on the CO₂-C emission.

     

Effect of living cells of microalgae or their extracts on soil enzyme activities

The enzymatic activity of the soil and potential plant growth can both be affected by the addition of different substances, such as biostimulants. The final objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus quadricauda or their extracts applied directly into the soil, by monitoring the complex soil-microorganism-plant system. Experiments were conducted in pots using agricultural soil and tomato plants in a growth chamber at 25 ± 2 °C illuminated by artificial light with a 16-h photoperiod. The soil biological activity was analyzed by monitoring fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, dehydrogenases, acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterase and urease activities. Dry weight and chlorophyll index values of tomato plants were also investigated. Results showed that both the microalgae and their extracts positively affected soil biological activity by increasing values of the biochemical index of potential soil fertility (Mw) both in cultivated and uncultivated soils. The highest Mw value was reached in cultivated soil treated for 11 days with the lower concentration of S. quadricauda extract (Mw 9.47). All treatments significantly increased the growth of tomato plants with respect to untreated soil. These results are very promising with a view to improving soil biological activity as well as increasing plant growth.     

A versatile in situ sediment pore water sampler

A simple versatile in situ sampler for extracting pore water fromsediments has been developed, working as a convective samplingdevice (harpoon) or a solute diffusion device (peeper). Used asa harpoon, it avoids modification of vertical gradients of soluteconcentrations, because no suction is applied. Used as a peeper,because of its higher diffusion/volume ratio, its contact timewith the sediment is reduced by 50%, compared to that of theconventional peeper, which makes a higher sampling rate possible.