Evaluation of adjuvant chemotherapy in feline injection site-associated sarcoma

ABSTRACT Feline Injection Site-Associated Sarcoma (FISS) is a neoplasm that implies in reduction of quality of life and overall survival in feline patients. A retrospective study of 13 cases of FISS was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of surgical treatment associated to chemotherapy with doxorubicin or carboplatin. Local recurrence occurred in all patients. Patients treated with surgery and chemotherapy presented a longer overall survival and disease-free interval when compared to those that solely received surgical treatment, although no statistical significance was observed (p= 0.3360 and 0.7506, respectively). Surgery remains as the main option for FISS treatment. Further prospective studies with larger samples are warranted to investigate the benefit of chemotherapy for this neoplasm.

RESUMO O Sarcoma de Aplicação Felino (SAF) é uma neoplasia associada a redução na qualidade de vida e sobrevida global. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da quimioterapia associada à cirurgia no manejo do SAF. Estudo retrospectivo de 13 pacientes com SAF submetidos à cirurgia isolada ou associada a quimioterapia com carboplatina ou doxorrubicina. Recorrência local ocorreu em todos os pacientes. Pacientes tratados com cirurgia e quimioterapia apresentaram maior sobrevida global e intervalo livre de doença quando comparados àqueles que receberam apenas tratamento cirúrgico, mas não foi observada diferença estatística (p=0,3360 e 0,7506, respectivamente). A cirurgia continua sendo a principal opção para o tratamento do SAF. Estudos prospectivos são necessários para investigação do real benefício da quimioterapia para esta neoplasia.

Outcome of adjuvant chemotherapy with lomustine, vinblastine and chlorambucil on management of canine mast cell tumour of high to intermediate risk

ABSTRACT In spite of the many available protocols, the use of chemotherapy for the management of canine mast cell tumours (MCT) remains empirical, and there is lack of criteria for the choice of protocol and definition of patients who may benefit from treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of dogs with MCT after adjuvant chemotherapy according to the risk of recurrence or metastasis proposed on the literature. This prospective study included 89 followed up dogs with prognosis assesment including clinical, histological, immunohistochemical and genetic features of canine MCT. Patients were grouped according to risk of recurrence and metastasis and recommended treatment with lomustine followed by chlorambucil if considered at high-risk, or vinblastine followed by chlorambucil if a patient was at intermediate risk. Outcome was defined by disease-free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS) estimated by Kaplan-Meier curve. Adjuvant lomustine was useful for control of canine MCT of high-risk of recurrence or metastasis, but only when sequentially associated to chlorambucil with a DFI of 686 days and not reached OS. There was no difference in outcome in the intermediate-risk group despite choosen treatment. Patients at intermediate-to-low risk may not require adjuvant treatments, even in the absence of free surgical margins.

RESUMO Apesar dos inúmeros protocolos disponíveis, o uso da quimioterapia permanece empírico para o mastocitoma canino e faltam critérios para escolha do protocolo e da definição dos pacientes que poderiam se beneficiar do tratamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o resultado de cães com mastocitoma após a quimioterapia adjuvante, de acordo com o risco de recorrência ou metástase proposto na literatura. Este estudo prospectivo incluiu 89 cães com acompanhamento clínico e avaliação prognóstica, incluindo características clínicas, histológicas, imuno-histoquímicas e genéticas dos mastocitomas. Os pacientes foram agrupados segundo o risco de recorrência ou metástase, sendo recomendado tratamento com lomustina seguida de clorambucila, se considerados sob alto risco, ou vimblastina seguida de clorambucila, se estivessem sob risco intermediário. O resultado final foi definido pelo intervalo livre de doença (ILD) e pela sobrevida global (SG), estimados pela curva de Kaplan-Meier. Na adjuvância, a lomustina foi útil no controle do mastocitoma canino de alto risco, mas apenas quando associada ao clorambucila, com um ILD de 686 dias, sem atingir a mediana para SG. Não houve diferença no grupo de risco intermediário, independentemente do tratamento escolhido. Pacientes de risco intermediário podem não necessitar de tratamentos adjuvantes, mesmo na ausência de margens cirúrgicas livres.

Assessment of electrochemotherapy effects on the development of Ehrlich solid tumor in swiss mice using a novel electroporator device

ABSTRACT Electrochemotherapy is a local anticancer treatment in which non-permeant chemotherapeutic drugs are associated with electric pulses of well-established parameters. The electric pulses cause pores to open on the plasma membrane and facilitate drug transport, enhancing cytotoxicity and reducing side effects. Assessment of electrochemotherapy effects on Ehrlich solid tumor development in this work aims to evaluate in vivo usage of the electroporator device developed by the Department of Electrical Engineering of Engineering School of UFMG. Therefore, 40 Swiss mice were inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells, and developed the tumor in solid form. After 21 days, mice were subjected to specific treatment protocols (control, bleomycin, electric pulses and electrochemotherapy); 17 days later they were euthanized and the tumors collected for histopathology analysis. Electrochemotherapy induced discrete weight loss and an inflammatory response in the tumor, which was not seen on the other treatment groups. Bleomycin alone induced necrosis. Both groups showed lower cellular proliferation rates. From this study, it was concluded that the animals tolerated electrochemotherapy treatment under anesthesia and the electroporator device developed by the Engineering School of UFMG was adequate when used in an electrochemotherapy protocol.

RESUMO Eletroquimioterapia é uma modalidade de tratamento local contra o câncer em que a administração de quimioterápicos não penetrantes à membrana plasmática é associada à aplicação de pulsos elétricos com parâmetros bem estabelecidos, que abrem poros na membrana plasmática e facilitam a entrada desses fármacos nas células, aumentando sua citotoxicidade e reduzindo efeitos colaterais. A avaliação dos efeitos da eletroquimioterapia sobre o desenvolvimento do tumor sólido de Ehrlich em camundongos Swiss neste trabalho teve como objetivo testar o uso in vivo do aparelho eletroporador desenvolvido pelo Departamento de Engenharia Elétrica da Escola de Engenharia da UFMG. Para tanto, foram utilizados 40 camundongos fêmeas da linhagem Swiss, nos quais foram inoculadas células de tumor de Ehrlich, para o desenvolvimento do tumor na forma sólida. Após 21 dias, os camundongos foram submetidos ao protocolo de tratamento específico (controle, bleomicina, pulsos elétricos e eletroquimioterapia); 17 dias depois foram eutanasiados e seus tumores coletados para análise histopatológica e imuno-histoquímica. A eletroquimioterapia induziu perda de peso discreta e uma resposta inflamatória no tumor que não foi observada nos outros grupos. O grupo bleomicina apresentou maior porcentagem de necrose. Ambos os grupos apresentaram menor índice de proliferação celular. Com este estudo, pode-se concluir que o tratamento sob anestesia foi bem tolerado pelos animais e que o aparelho eletroporador desenvolvido pela Escola de Engenharia da UFMG é adequado para utilização em um protocolo de eletroquimioterapia.

Performance and morphometry of the intestinal mucosa of laying hens fed diets containing xylanase

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary energy level reduction and xylanase inclusion on the performance and on intestinal mucosa morphometry of two- to six-week-old laying hens. In total, 400 Hy-line W36 laying hens were distributed according to a completely randomized design in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (energy level x inclusion of xylanase), totaling four treatments with 10 replicates of 10 birds per experimental unit. The following treatments were evaluated: positive control (balanced diet); positive control + xylanase; negative control (diet with of 100 kcal ME reduction /kg); negative control + xylanase. Body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, uniformity and livability were not influenced by diets with metabolizable energy reduction and xylanase inclusion; however, the addition of xylanase to the diets resulted in shallower crypts depth and greater villus:crypt ratio in the ileum. The energy reduction of the diet associated with the supplementation of xylanase did not influence performance, but increased the feed intake of 2- to 6-week-old laying hens and increased villus height in the ileum of 6-wk-old hens. Xylanase reduces crypt depth in the ileum of 6-week-old hens.

Performance and morphometry of the intestinal mucosa of laying hens fed diets containing xylanase

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary energy level reduction and xylanase inclusion on the performance and on intestinal mucosa morphometry of two- to six-week-old laying hens. In total, 400 Hy-line W36 laying hens were distributed according to a completely randomized design in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (energy level x inclusion of xylanase), totaling four treatments with 10 replicates of 10 birds per experimental unit. The following treatments were evaluated: positive control (balanced diet); positive control + xylanase; negative control (diet with of 100 kcal ME reduction /kg); negative control + xylanase. Body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, uniformity and livability were not influenced by diets with metabolizable energy reduction and xylanase inclusion; however, the addition of xylanase to the diets resulted in shallower crypts depth and greater villus:crypt ratio in the ileum. The energy reduction of the diet associated with the supplementation of xylanase did not influence performance, but increased the feed intake of 2- to 6-week-old laying hens and increased villus height in the ileum of 6-wk-old hens. Xylanase reduces crypt depth in the ileum of 6-week-old hens.

Infarto agudo do miocárdio e injeção intramiocárdica experimental em cães: estudos clínico, enzimático, eletrocardiográfico e ecocardiográfico / Experimental acute myocardial infarction in dogs: clinic, enzymatic, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic studies

Os eventos isquêmicos em cães são incomuns, porém podem estar sendo subnotificados. Avaliou-se o infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) clinicamente, por meio de eletrocardiografia (ECG), eletrocardiografia contínua (EC), ecocardiografia (ECO), enzima creatina quinase (CK), enzima creatina quinase fração MB (CK-MB) e anátomo-histologicamente em cães sem raça definida, e observou-se a ocorrência de arritmias após injeção intramiocárdia por EC. O IAM foi obtido após a ligadura da coronária descendente anterior. Os animais apresentaram ao ECO dilatação da câmara esquerda e aumento do índice de desempenho miocárdico. Ao ECG houve desnivelamento de ST nas derivações pré-cordiais V1 e V2. No EC observaram-se arritmias ventriculares graves e supradesnivelamento de ST. As enzimas CK e CK-MB aumentaram significativamente, sendo que os picos de CK-MB e de CK ocorreram seis horas e 12 horas, respectivamente, após o IAM. Na análise histológica constatou-se infarto da parede inferior do ventrículo esquerdo e substituição do tecido muscular por tecido fibroso. Avaliou-se a injeção intramiocárdica por EC que pode servir como via terapêutica cardíaca, não sendo observado aumento das arritmias ventriculares após a injeção no miocárdio infartado. O infarto em cães pode ser detectado pelos exames cardíacos disponíveis, e a injeção intramiocárdica é uma via terapêutica cardíaca possível.

Ischemic events in dogs are uncommon; however, this may be under-reported. The myocardial infarction was created by left anterior descending coronary ligation in healthy mongrel dogs in clinical and laboratorial exams. These dogs were evaluated clinically, electrocardiography (ECG), through ambulatory electrocardiography (AE), echocardiography (ECO), creatine kinase enzyme (CK), creatine kinase MB fraction enzyme (CK-MB) and histopathologically. Even in these animals we observed the occurrence of arrhythmia after intramyocardial injection by AE. The animals exhibited left ventricular chamber enlargement and increase in myocardial performance index at ECO. In ECG, there were deviations in ST segment in the precordial leads V1 and V2. CK and CK-MB showed high increase, CK and CK-MB peaks occurred six and 12 hours after infarction, respectively. Histopathology of the infarction in the inferior wall of the left ventricle and replacement of muscle tissue by fibrous tissue were seen. Furthermore, intramyocardial injection that may be used for therapeutic purposes was evaluated by AE, which demonstrated no increase in the ventricular arrhythmias. Therefore, myocardial infarction in dogs can be detected with the tests available and intramyocardial injection can be used as a therapeutic way.

Adding value to the meat of spent laying hens manufacturing sausages with a healthy appeal

The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability of the use of spent laying hens' meat in the manufacturing of mortadella-type sausages with healthy appeal by using vegetable oil instead of animal fat. 120 Hy-line® layer hens were distributed in a completely randomized design into two treatments of six replicates with ten birds each. The treatments were birds from light Hy-line® W36 and semi-heavy Hy-line® Brown lines. Cold carcass, wing, breast and leg fillets yields were determined. Dry matter, protein, and lipid contents were determined in breast and leg fillets. The breast and legg fillets of three replicates per treatment were used to manufacture mortadella. After processing, sausages were evaluated for proximal composition, objective color, microbiological parameters, fatty acid profile and sensory acceptance. The meat of light and semi-heavy spent hens presented good yield and composition, allowing it to be used as raw material for the manufacture of processed products. Mortadellas were safe from microbiological point of view, and those made with semi-heavy hens fillets were redder and better accepted by consumers. Values for all sensory attributes were evaluated over score 5 (neither liked nor disliked). Both products presented high polyunsaturated fatty acid contents and good polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio. The excellent potential for the use of meat from spent layer hens of both varieties in the manufacturing of healthier mortadella-type sausage was demonstrated.

Adding value to the meat of spent laying hens manufacturing sausages with a healthy appeal

The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability of the use of spent laying hens' meat in the manufacturing of mortadella-type sausages with healthy appeal by using vegetable oil instead of animal fat. 120 Hy-line® layer hens were distributed in a completely randomized design into two treatments of six replicates with ten birds each. The treatments were birds from light Hy-line® W36 and semi-heavy Hy-line® Brown lines. Cold carcass, wing, breast and leg fillets yields were determined. Dry matter, protein, and lipid contents were determined in breast and leg fillets. The breast and legg fillets of three replicates per treatment were used to manufacture mortadella. After processing, sausages were evaluated for proximal composition, objective color, microbiological parameters, fatty acid profile and sensory acceptance. The meat of light and semi-heavy spent hens presented good yield and composition, allowing it to be used as raw material for the manufacture of processed products. Mortadellas were safe from microbiological point of view, and those made with semi-heavy hens fillets were redder and better accepted by consumers. Values for all sensory attributes were evaluated over score 5 (neither liked nor disliked). Both products presented high polyunsaturated fatty acid contents and good polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio. The excellent potential for the use of meat from spent layer hens of both varieties in the manufacturing of healthier mortadella-type sausage was demonstrated.

Avaliação ecodopplercardiográfica da função diastólica em cães da raça Boxer

Major diastolics indexes, including the mitral propagation velocity (Vp), were evaluated in 36 healthy Boxer dogs, 18 males and 18 females, aging from 1.5 to 6-years-old. The aortic root and left atrium ratio, measured in B mode, was 1.17±0.11. The peaks of velocity of waves of the left atrium filling were: systolic 31.41±6.87cm/s, diastolic 73.85±17.04cm/s and atrial reversal 28.90±8.33cm/s. The ratios of the waves of initial ventricular filling were 1.58±0.19 to mitral valve and 1.62±0.29 to tricuspid valve. From the evaluated indexes, the Vp was only weakly correlated (r=0.39) with E and A waves of mitral valve and with D, showing itself, relativity, as an independence index. Regarding to the Vp, no significant differences were seen between the gender of the animals and among the observers. The Vp decreased as the age increased, showing mean values of 99.73±16.06cm/s.

Foram avaliados os principais índices diastólicos, inclusive a velocidade de propagação mitral (Vp), em 36 cães sadios da raça Boxer, 18 de cada sexo, de idade entre um ano e meio e seis anos. A relação raiz aórtica e átrio esquerdo medida no modo B foi de 1,17±0,11. Os picos de velocidades das ondas de enchimento atrial esquerdo foram: sistólica 31,41±6,87cm/s, diastólica (D) 73,85±17,04cm/s e de reversão atrial 28,90±8,33cm/s. A relação das ondas de enchimento ventricular inicial (E) e atrial (A) foi 1,58±0,19 na valva mitral e de 1,62±0,29 na valva tricúspide. Entre os índices avaliados, a Vp só se correlacionou fracamente (r=0,39) com as ondas E e A mitrais e com a onda D, mostrando-se um índice, relativamente, independente. A Vp não apresentou diferença significativa entre os sexos nem entre examinadores. A Vp diminuiu com o aumento da idade e exibiu valor médio, neste estudo, de 99,73±16,06cm/s.

Anastomose cólon-trígono vesical em cães

Colonic-trigonal anastomosis was performed in 12 healthy adult mongrel dogs (five males and seven females). Samples of the colonic-trigonal anastomosis were collected for biopsy at 30 and 60 days after surgery. Histologic evaluation revealed a mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in the area of anastomosis and also invasion of the transition epithelium onto the intestinal mucosa. These findings indicated that colonic-trigonal anastomosis is a simple and efficient procedure for primary bladder repair. Furthermore, the technique preserve the renal and vesical functions.

Realizou-se anastomose cólon-trígono vesical em 12 cães adultos (cinco machos e sete fêmeas), sem raça definida e clinicamente normais. Todos os animais mantiveram a continência urinária imediatamente após a cirurgia. Amostras da região de transição cólon-trígono vesical foram colhidas aos 30 e 60 dias após a cirurgia para exames histopatológicos. Observou-se infiltrado inflamatório mononuclear na região de anastomose com invasão do epitélio de transição da bexiga sobre a mucosa do fragmento intestinal. A técnica mostrou-se simples e eficiente para a reparação da bexiga, com o cólon funcionando como substituto da bexiga, preservando as funções renal e vesical.

Ecocardiografia Doppler em cães neonatos

Ten healthy puppies (five males and five females) were used to establish the regular echodopplercardiography profile during the neonatal period (from one to 30 days) utilizing Doppler (pulsed-wave and color flow). Mitral, tricuspid, aortic and pulmonary blood flows were measured. Positive correlations of all the measures, with body weight and age of the puppies for both sexes were observed. No differences in the cardiac development between male and female during the neonatal phase were observed.

Utilizaram-se 10 cães neonatos (cinco machos e cinco fêmeas), obtidos a partir de cinco ninhadas (um casal de cada) com o objetivo de estabelecer o perfil ecodopplercardiográfico normal durante a fase neonatal (de um até 30 dias). Por meio do Doppler pulsado foram mensurados os picos de velocidade dos fluxos sangüíneos através das valvas mitral, tricúspide, aórtica e pulmonar. Observou-se correlação positiva de todas as mensurações com o peso corporal e a idade dos neonatos de ambos os sexos. Não houve diferenças significativas no padrão de velocidade dos fluxos sangüíneos estudados entre machos e fêmeas durante a fase neonatal.

Presença de "Linha Morgan" como indicador de displasia coxofemoral em cães da raça Pastor-Alemão

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the presence of Morgan line and hip dysplasia. From June, 1986 to October, 1993, 190 X-ray plates of German Shepherd dogs, from both sexes were collected and analyzed. The results showed that out of the 190 dogs evaluated, 136 (71.6%) had hip dysplasia, 43 (22.6%) presented Morgan line and 41 (21.5%) showed both of them. Just two (1.1%) dogs presented Morgan line without hip dysplasia. No statistically significant difference was found between males (21.8%) and females (23.3%). From this study it can be concluded that the presence of the Morgan line can be considered indicative to hip dysplasia diagnosis, even though the absence of the line does not exclude the possibility of hip dysplasia.

Diagnóstico ecodopplercardiográfico da fibrose crônica da válvula mitral em cão

A ten year-old male Poodle dog, weighing 3kg, was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of UFMG due to nocturnal coughing, exercise intolerance, weakness and weight loss. Physical examination revealed pale mucous membranes, prolonged capillary refill time, holosystolic regurgitant murmur at left apex and signs of congestive heart failure. M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiography revealed mitral chronic valvular disease

Presença de "Linha Morgan" como indicador de displasia coxofemoral em cães da raça Pastor-Alemão

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the presence of Morgan line and hip dysplasia. From June, 1986 to October, 1993, 190 X-ray plates of German Shepherd dogs, from both sexes were collected and analyzed. The results showed that out of the 190 dogs evaluated, 136 (71.6%) had hip dysplasia, 43 (22.6%) presented Morgan line and 41 (21.5%) showed both of them. Just two (1.1%) dogs presented Morgan line without hip dysplasia. No statistically significant difference was found between males (21.8%) and females (23.3%). From this study it can be concluded that the presence of the Morgan line can be considered indicative to hip dysplasia diagnosis, even though the absence of the line does not exclude the possibility of hip dysplasia.