Frameless stereotactic radiotherapy alone and combined with temozolomide for presumed canine gliomas.

We evaluated stereotactic volume modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) for canine gliomas, alone (radiotherapy [RT]) and in combination with temozolomide (RT + TMZ), compared with palliation. Overall and disease-specific survival times were estimated. Thirty dogs were palliated, 22 dogs were treated with RT and 20 with RT + TMZ. Complete and partial responses were observed in 63.2% and 90.9% of patients in the RT and RT + TMZ arms, respectively, that were alive at 1 year. Median survival in the palliation arm was 94 days (95% conformity index [CI] 87÷101). Median survivals of the RT arm (383 days, 95% CI 276÷490) and RT+TMZ arm (420 days, 95% CI 280÷560) were not significantly different (P = .61). Positive correlation with survival was found both for the ratio between target and brain (relative) volume of the tumour of <5% (P = .013) and for a clinical presentation with normal mentation (P = .032). VMAT is feasible and effective for canine brain gliomas. Combining this therapy with TMZ did not elicit any additional improvement in survival time.

Volumetric-modulated arc stereotactic radiotherapy for canine adrenocortical tumours with vascular invasion.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of hypofractionated stereotactic volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy in treating canine adrenal tumours with vascular invasion. METHODS: A single-arm clinical study was performed. The dogs underwent total body computed tomography, brain and abdomen magnetic resonance imaging and endocrine assay. Adrenal masses were classified as cortisol-secreting adrenal tumour or non-secreting adrenal tumour. Radiotherapy treatments were delivered by hypofractionated stereotactic volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy via a linear accelerator. The overall survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The overall response and radio-toxicity effects were determined. RESULTS: Nine dogs were enrolled. Three dogs were affected by cortisol-secreting adrenal tumours and the remaining dogs had non-secreting adrenal tumours. The prescribed doses ranged from 30 to 45 Gy in three or five consecutive daily fractions. The median overall survival time was 1030 days, and the overall mean reduction of the diameter and volume were ~32 and 30% respectively. The endocrine profile normalised in two dogs with cortisol-secreting adrenal tumours. Radio-toxicities were mild and self-limiting. Seven deaths were recorded during the follow-up period and two dogs were censored. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Hypofractionated stereotactic volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy should be considered as a feasible and effective therapeutic option for adrenal tumours with vascular invasion.

One-leg standing balance and functional status in an elderly community-dwelling population in northeast Italy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Development of simple and accurate indicators of frailty is an important research goal in aging societies. One-leg standing balance (OLSB) has been proposed as a component of a clinical index of frailty. METHODS: We analyzed relationships between results of OLSB testing and multiple health risk factors and impairment/disability indicators in a sample of elderly subjects (N=102) participating in the Anchyses Project. Subjects were aged >65, lived in a home for the aged in Rovigo, Italy, and had no ADL dependencies or recent acute illnesses. RESULTS: More than half (53%) failed the OLSB test while 36% were able to balance without difficulty. Significant differences were observed among OLSB performance groups in forced vital capacity (p=0.025), dynamometry (p=0.001), age, physical activity, and IADL dependency (all p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: OLSB performance is a marker of frailty and thus a potentially useful predictor of functional decline.

Palaeodemography of the Nasca valley: reconstruction of the human ecology in the southern Peruvian coast.

This study is based on skeletons and mummies belonging to 582 individuals excavated at sites of Pueblo Viejo, Cahuachi, Estaqueria and Atarco in the Nasca valley, South Coast of Peru. Archaeological evidence distinguishes three cultural phases: Nasca (400 BC-550 AD), Wari (600-1100 AD) and Chincha (1100-1412 AD). Since the Chincha human remains were too exiguous (27 individuals), only Nasca and Wari were considered. For the Nasca population, sex ratio was 113 men to 100 women (53% of males); for the Wari population, sex ratio was 117 men to 100 women (54% of males). The palaeodemographic data show that the infant mortality rate was 33@1000 for Nasca and 105@1000 for Wari. Life expectancy was 38-43 years for Nasca and 31-36 years for Wari. Death percentages in all the age groups increased from Nasca to Wari phase. ANOVA and t-test for paired comparison were applied in order to examine if dental and bone ages were statistically different. Long bones and teeth showed an allometric development, and the age estimated from the tooth formation and eruption was generally higher than the age estimated from the maximum lengths of long bones. The anthropological study of the Nasca valley skeletal populations confirmed the archaeological hypothesis of worse conditions of the Wari population in comparison with the previous Nasca people.