Investigation of correlations between clinical signs and pathological findings in cats and dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

This paper compares the correlation between the clinical signs and the histopathological observations of the entire intestine in cats and dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To perform this study, hospital records of 53 dogs and 20 cats of different sex, ages, and breed diagnosed with IBD following the histopathological criteria of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) were evaluated. The results obtained in this study did show correlations between some clinical signs and the histopathological assessment of dogs and cats with IBD. Therefore, a slight association between diarrhea and lacteal dilation in the small bowel, and diarrhea and desquamation in the large bowel of dogs with IBD was seen, but no other associations were found between the rest of the lesions and symptoms. In contrast, cats only showed a correlation between anorexia with villous stunting and villous epithelial injury, without correspondence among other clinical signs and lesions. The results of this study propose that the evaluation of IBD can be complicated, especially with the use of retrospective records of archived intestinal biopsies and subjective clinical and histopathologic decisions

A pathological and immunohistochemical study of intestinal bowel desease in dogs

This study describes the histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of 41 dogs with clinical signs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD

Investigation of correlations between clinical signs and pathological findings in cats and dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

This paper compares the correlation between the clinical signs and the histopathological observations of the entire intestine in cats and dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To perform this study, hospital records of 53 dogs and 20 cats of different sex, ages, and breed diagnosed with IBD following the histopathological criteria of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) were evaluated. The results obtained in this study did show correlations between some clinical signs and the histopathological assessment of dogs and cats with IBD. Therefore, a slight association between diarrhea and lacteal dilation in the small bowel, and diarrhea and desquamation in the large bowel of dogs with IBD was seen, but no other associations were found between the rest of the lesions and symptoms. In contrast, cats only showed a correlation between anorexia with villous stunting and villous epithelial injury, without correspondence among other clinical signs and lesions. The results of this study propose that the evaluation of IBD can be complicated, especially with the use of retrospective records of archived intestinal biopsies and subjective clinical and histopathologic decisions

Clinical significance in the number of involved lymph nodes in patients that underwent surgery for pathological stage III-N2 non-small cell lung cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>This study investigated whether the number of involved lymph nodes is associated with the prognosis in patients that underwent surgery for pathological stage (p-stage) III/N2 NSCLC.</p> <p>Subjects</p> <p>This study evaluated 121 patients with p-stage III/N2 NSCLC.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The histological types included 65 adenocarcinomas, 39 squamous cell carcinomas and 17 others. The average number of dissected lymph nodes was 23.8 (range: 6-55). The average number of involved lymph nodes was 5.9 (range: 1-23). The 5-year survival rate of the patients was 51.0% for single lymph node positive, 58.9% for 2 lymph nodes positive, 34.2% for 3 lymph nodes positive, and 30.0% for 4 lymph nodes positive, and 20.4% for more than 5 lymph nodes positive. The patients with either single or 2 lymph nodes positive had a significantly more favorable prognosis than the patients with more than 5 lymph nodes positive. A multivariate analysis revealed that the number of involved lymph nodes was a significant independent prognostic factor.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Surgery appears to be preferable as a one arm of multimodality therapy in p-stage III/N2 patients with single or 2 involved lymph nodes. The optimal incorporation of surgery into the multimodality approach therefore requires further clinical investigation.</p

A multicenter phase II study of thalidomide in combination with interleukin-2 (IL-2) in patients with previously untreated metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC)

14636 Background: Thalidomide, a drug with immune modulating and anti-angiogenic properties has shown activity in relapsed/refractory MRCC; furthermore, early phase I data of oral thalidomide with subcutaneous low-dose IL-2 showed the combination to be safe. The potential anti-tumor activity of this combination formed the basis of this study. Methods: The aim of this multi-center, open label, phase II study was to determine the efficacy and safety of thalidomide and IL-2 given in combination. Patients (pts) with untreated clear cell MRCC with measurable disease and previous nephrectomy were eligible. Two 6-week cycles of thalidomide and IL-2 were planned. Each cycle consisted of thalidomide started at 200 mg orally daily and titrated to 400 mg daily on the 4th day for 6 weeks; IL-2 was started one week post initiation of thalidomide at a dose of 7mIU/m2 subcutaneously days 1–5 for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks off therapy. Therapy was to be continued until progression, if there was at least stable disease (SD). Planned accrual was 53 patients. Results: 11 pts were enrolled. The trial was terminated early due to lack of responses. Median age was 57 years (51–66). All pts had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or better. The only grade 3 toxicities were fatigue (3 pts), neuropathy (1 pt), anorexia (1 pt), dyspnea (1 pt), edema (1 pt); these required dose reductions as per protocol. There were no objective responses: 3 pts had SD, 8 pts had progressive disease (PD). The 3 pts with SD completed 4, 4, and 6 cycles of therapy respectively; of the 8 pts with PD, 3 completed two cycles, and 5 completed one cycle of therapy. Conclusions: The combination of thalidomide and low-dose IL-2 was well tolerated, but in this trial did not show anti-tumor activity in patients with clear cell MRCC. We thank Celgene for support of this trial. No significant financial relationships to disclose. </jats:p

Computed tomographic imaging of the brain of normal neonatal foals

The aim of this study was to provide a more complete description of normal cross-sectional anatomy of the neonatal brain of the foal and associated structures by computed tomography (CT) and gross anatomical sections. Using a fourth-generation CT scanner, 2-mm contiguous transverse images were acquired from two neonatal 5-days-old Quarter horse foals. After the study the animals were euthanised for reasons unrelated to head pathology. To assist in the accurate identification of brain and associated structures, transverse CT images were obtained and compared with the corresponding frozen cross-sections of the head. CT images matched well with their corresponding transverse gross sections and provided good differentiation between the bones and the soft tissues of the head. These CT images are intended to be a useful initial anatomic reference in the interpretation for clinical CT imaging studies of the brain and associated structures in live neonatal foals

Pilot study of paclitaxel and carboplatin (P/C) with concurrent radiation therapy (RT) in high risk salivary gland carcinomas (SGC)

15538 Background: Standard therapy for high risk SGC includes surgical resection with adjuvant RT, but a high risk of recurrence exists. The role of chemotherapy in this setting has not been fully defined. Methods: This limited institution pilot study evaluated the use of P/C with concurrent RT as adjuvant treatment of high risk SGC. The primary objective was to assess toxicity of this treatment in anticipation of a larger cooperative group phase II study. Eligible patients (pts.) had a Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) performance status (PS) of 0–2 who after surgical resection of their SGC had high risk features including positive surgical margins, perineural invasion, multiple lymph node (LN) metastases, or extracapsular extension. Treatment included P = 40 mg/m2 intravenously followed by C = AUC of 2 concurrently on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36 of RT. RT consisted of a total dose of 60 Gy in 30 fractions to the primary and regional LN sites of disease. Results: Five pts. were enrolled 4 with adenoid cystic CA and 1 with high grade mucoepidermoid CA. Median age was 59 years (32–69), all with SWOG PS = 0. Four pts. completed the full 6 cycle P/C chemotherapy; all completed RT per protocol. Grade III/IV mucositis, the most common toxicity, occurred in 6 of 30 (20%) P/C cycles, leading to alteration of therapy in 1 pt. There was no reported neuropathy or significant laboratory abnormalities. Median follow up was 17.5 months (mos.); most were disease free at last follow up (13 to 37 mos.); 1 recurred at 14 mos.; this pt. accounts for the only death observed. One year survival was 100%. Conclusions: The regimen of P/C with concurrent RT, as defined, was tolerated well. Grade III/IV mucositis was the main toxicity. Based on the overall tolerability of this regimen, we believe that this postoperative combined modality therapy deserves further study in a larger cooperative group phase II trial to further define its toxicity and efficacy in high risk SGC. We thank Bristol Myers Squibb for support of this study. No significant financial relationships to disclose. </jats:p