Biochemical and haematological measurements in beef cattle in Mendoza plain rangelands (Argentina).

Biochemical and haematological measurements were used to identify constraints on productivity in beef cattle. One hundred and twelve Aberdeen Angus and Criollo Argentino females including lactating cows, dry non-pregnant cows and heifers were selected. Blood samples were taken in the middle of summer and autumn. Serum was analysed for haemoglobin, PCV, glucose, albumin, urea, creatinine, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, ALP, AST, ALT, CK, LDH, Cl-, Na and K content. Globulin was calculated by taking the difference between total protein and albumin. Percentages of all cattle that had metabolite levels outside reference ranges were: 15% (glucose), 8% (globulin), 5% (urea), 96% (Ca), 50% (P), 12% (Mg), 20% (Na), 5% (K), 24% (Cl), 18% (Fe), 5% (Cu) and 85% (CK). These results indicate with some certainty that dietary protein was not limiting. Body condition score loss was detected only in lactating cows. There were a few animals that could have presented chronic inflammatory disease. Phosphorus could be an important potential constraint on fertility, although the presence of symptoms of hypophosphataemia was not observed. The study also demonstrates the absence of anaemia or liver disease. Breed, seasonal and physiological state differences in some blood metabolites could be attributed to one or more of the following factors: chemical composition of the feed ingested, environmental temperature, nutrient content of the forage, animal age and cattle foraging experience. The study provides a basis for implementing helpful adjustments in current cattle management practices so as to alleviate the constraints on productivity, provided that these practices are profitable.

Alternating radiotherapy and chemotherapy schedules in limited small cell lung cancer: analysis of local chest recurrences.

An analysis of the chest recurrences was conducted in 72 consecutive patients with limited small cell lung cancer treated in two successive phase II trials alternating six induction chemotherapy courses and three series of thoracic radiotherapy, followed by maintenance chemotherapy. The total radiation dose was 45 Gy (3 series of 15 Gy) in the first trial, and 55 (20, 20 and 15 Gy) in the second. The effect of the irradiated volume was investigated by comparing the local relapse rates in the group of patients treated by radiation fields encompassing the initial tumor volume to another group in which the initial target volume was not fully covered by radiation fields. The definition of these two groups was performed retrospectively by examination of radiological, fiberoptic bronchoscopy initial findings, technical radiation charts and check films. The local recurrence rate were 33 and 36% in each group (no significant difference). This finding could suggest that tumor shrinkage after chemotherapy might allow the use of "reduced" radiation volumes. However, the limited number of patients does not permit a definite conclusion. The effect of radiation dose was investigated by comparing the local control rates in the two consecutive trials which delivered 45 and 55 Gy, respectively. No difference in long-term local control was found: the addition of 10 Gy in the second trial only seemed to delay the appearance of local recurrences by 6 months. Twenty percent of patients died from a local relapse without evidence of distant metastases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Limited small cell lung cancer treated by combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy: evaluation of a grading system of lung fibrosis.

A grading system of radiological fibrosis was defined and applied by four observers for the reading of 218 posterior-anterior chest X-rays of 78 patients. These patients with limited small cell lung cancer were treated from May 1980 to July 1983 in two consecutive alternating radiotherapy-chemotherapy schedules. Chest X-rays performed at each 6-month interval were read by each observer. A second reading was performed the day after. The analysis of results showed that in spite of some systematic variations in intra- and inter-observations, the proposed grading system had a good reproducibility. The radiological lung fibrosis score progressed between 6 and 12 months but was stable after one year of follow-up. There was no difference in the score of lung fibrosis between the two protocols which delivered a total dose of 45 and 55 Gy to the mediastinum. There was no significant correlation between the radiological changes and clinical symptoms.