Prevalence of transposed teeth as seen on panoramic radiographs in children with cleft lip and palate

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of complete and incomplete transpositions of teeth in subjects with repaired cleft lip and/or palate.

DESIGN

Retrospective review. Panoramic radiographs from 364 subjects with repaired cleft lip and/or palate and with or without syndromes were compared with 364 panoramic radiographs from noncleft controls. The percentages of completely or incompletely transposed teeth, missing teeth, and pegged teeth were recorded for each subject and control.

SETTING

Primary care dental clinic in a university affiliated, not-for-profit hospital.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Presence of complete and incomplete transposed teeth, missing teeth, and pegged teeth detected on subjects' panoramic radiographs.

RESULTS

This study revealed greater prevalence of tooth transposition in subjects with cleft lip and/or palate (52/364 = 14.3%) as compared with noncleft controls (1/364 = 0.3%; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a higher prevalence of tooth transpositions in subjects with repaired cleft lip and/or palate with/or without syndromes than in noncleft controls. There was a weak association between transpositions and missing teeth (P = .12) and between transpositions and pegged teeth (.23).

The contribution of housing renovation to children's blood lead levels: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Routine renovation of older housing is a risk factor for childhood lead poisoning, but the contribution to children's blood lead levels is poorly defined for children with lower exposure levels.

METHODS

We examined a prospective cohort of 276 children followed from 6 to 24 months of age. We conducted surveys of renovation activities and residential lead hazards and obtained blood lead level (B-Pb) every six months. We analyzed B-Pb in a repeated measures design using a mixed effects linear model.

RESULTS

Parent reported interior renovation ranged from 11 to 25% of housing units at the four, 6-month periods. In multivariable analysis, children whose housing underwent interior renovation had a 12% higher mean B-Pb by two years of age compared with children whose housing units were not renovated (p < 0.01). The time between renovation and the child blood lead sample was associated with higher B-Pb (p-value for trend <0.01); compared to children in non-renovated housing, children whose housing units underwent renovation in the prior month had a 17% higher mean B-Pb at two years of age, whereas children whose housing renovation occurred in the prior 2-6 months had an 8% higher mean B-Pb. We also found an association between higher paint lead loading, measured using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) based paint lead index, and child B-Pb (p = 0.02); for every 10 mg/cm2 increase in paint lead loading index there was a 7.5% higher mean childhood B-Pb.

CONCLUSIONS

In an analysis of data collected before the recent changes to Environmental Protection Agency's Lead, Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, routine interior housing renovation was associated with a modest increase in children's B-Pb. These results are important for the provision of clinical advice, for housing and public health professionals, and for policymakers.

Multilayer integral method for simulation of eddy currents in thin volumes of arbitrary geometry produced by MRI gradient coils

PURPOSE

This article aims to present a fast, efficient and accurate multi-layer integral method (MIM) for the evaluation of complex spatiotemporal eddy currents in nonmagnetic and thin volumes of irregular geometries induced by arbitrary arrangements of gradient coils.

METHODS

The volume of interest is divided into a number of layers, wherein the thickness of each layer is assumed to be smaller than the skin depth and where one of the linear dimensions is much smaller than the remaining two dimensions. The diffusion equation of the current density is solved both in time-harmonic and transient domain.

RESULTS

The experimentally measured magnetic fields produced by the coil and the induced eddy currents as well as the corresponding time-decay constants were in close agreement with the results produced by the MIM. Relevant parameters such as power loss and force induced by the eddy currents in a split cryostat were simulated using the MIM.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method is capable of accurately simulating the current diffusion process inside thin volumes, such as the magnet cryostat. The method permits the priori-calculation of optimal pre-emphasis parameters. The MIM enables unified designs of gradient coil-magnet structures for an optimal mitigation of deleterious eddy current effects.

A new multivalent (DHPPi/L4R) canine combination vaccine prevents infection, shedding and clinical signs following experimental challenge with four Leptospira serovars

Although effective vaccines have been developed against the common Leptospira serovars, they are still reported in clinical cases, while others are increasingly prevalent. The results from four challenge studies following vaccination of dogs with a new combination vaccine (DHPPi/L4R) containing inactivated L. serovars, L. canicola, L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. bratislava and L. grippotyphosa conducted to satisfy the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia monograph (01/2008:0447), are reported. Six week old dogs received two vaccinations, three weeks apart, and were challenged 25 days later with different isolates of the L. serovars. Clinical observations were recorded, and blood, urine and tissue samples were collected for analysis. Following challenge, non-vaccinated dogs demonstrated various clinical signs, while no vaccinated dogs were affected; significant differences in mean clinical scores were observed. Measurable antibody titres to each Leptospira antigen were seen in vaccinated dogs 21 days following the first vaccination, with further increases in antibody titres observed following challenge with the respective Leptospira strain. Non-vaccinated dogs remained seronegative until challenge. Leptospira were re-isolated from the blood, urine, kidney and liver of all non-vaccinated dogs following challenge. In contrast no vaccinated dogs had Leptospira re-isolated from the same tissues. Significant differences were seen in number of days with positive isolation (blood and urine) and in number of dogs with positive samples (kidney and liver). In conclusion, vaccination of dogs with the new vaccine induces protective immunity 25 days after second vaccination with protection against infection, renal infection and clinical signs following challenge.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor blockade reduces allergic inflammation in a cynomolgus monkey model of asthma

BACKGROUND

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) pathway blockade is a potential strategy for asthma treatment because the main activities of TSLP are activation of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and modulation of cytokine production by mast cells. TSLP-activated mDCs prime the differentiation of naive T cells into inflammatory TH2 cells.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to investigate mechanisms underlying the development of allergic lung inflammation in cynomolgus monkeys using gene expression profiling and to assess the effect of thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TSLPR) blockade in this model.

METHODS

An mAb against human TSLPR was generated and confirmed to be cross-reactive to cynomolgus monkey. Animals were dosed weekly with either vehicle or anti-TSLPR mAb for 6 weeks, and their responses to allergen challenge at baseline, week 2, and week 6 were assessed.

RESULTS

After 6 weeks of treatment, anti-TSLPR mAb-treated animals showed reduced bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid eosinophil counts, reduced airway resistance in response to allergen challenge, and reduced IL-13 cytokine levels in BAL fluid compared with values seen in vehicle-treated animals. Expression profiling of BAL fluid cells collected before and after challenge showed a group of genes upregulated by allergen challenge that strongly overlapped with 11 genes upregulated in dendritic cells (DCs) when in vitro stimulated by TSLP (TSLP-DC gene signature). The number of genes differentially expressed in response to challenge was reduced in antibody-treated animals after 6 weeks relative to vehicle-treated animals. Expression of the TSLP-DC gene signature was also significantly reduced in antibody-treated animals.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate promising efficacy for TSLPR blockade in an allergic lung inflammation model in which TSLP activation of mDCs might play a key role.

Vaccination of dogs with Duramune DAPPi+LC protects against pathogenic canine parvovirus type 2c challenge

In this study, we determined whether vaccination with Duramune DAPPi+LC containing canine parvovirus (CPV) type 2b protects against challenge with virulent CPV antigenic type 2c. Seven healthy dogs, seronegative for CPV2, were enrolled into two treatment groups; five were vaccinated twice, 21 days apart, with minimum titre vaccine, and two were given saline. Dogs were challenged with CPV 2c three weeks later. Clinical observations, body weight and rectal temperature measurements, blood samples for serology and white blood cell counts and faecal samples for virus excretion were collected. Control dogs remained seronegative until challenge; vaccinated dogs seroconverted and were positive for antibodies to CPV2 from day 21. Four days after challenge, clinical signs associated with parvovirus infection (vomiting, paroxysmal shivering, depression, loose stools) were observed in the control dogs. Both animals were withdrawn from the study for welfare reasons one day later. On day 47, leucopenia was observed in controls, with white blood cell counts less than 50 per cent prechallenge values. No specific clinical sign of parvovirus infection were observed in the vaccinated dogs, nor was (detectable) challenge virus shed in faeces suggesting that antibodies generated contributed sterilising immunity. We conclude that vaccination of dogs with Duramune DAPPi+LC protects against challenge with a virulent field strain of CPV 2c.

How well do environmental archives of atmospheric mercury deposition in the Arctic reproduce rates and trends depicted by atmospheric models and measurements?

This review compares the reconstruction of atmospheric Hg deposition rates and historical trends over recent decades in the Arctic, inferred from Hg profiles in natural archives such as lake and marine sediments, peat bogs and glacial firn (permanent snowpack), against those predicted by three state-of-the-art atmospheric models based on global Hg emission inventories from 1990 onwards. Model veracity was first tested against atmospheric Hg measurements. Most of the natural archive and atmospheric data came from the Canadian-Greenland sectors of the Arctic, whereas spatial coverage was poor in other regions. In general, for the Canadian-Greenland Arctic, models provided good agreement with atmospheric gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) concentrations and trends measured instrumentally. However, there are few instrumented deposition data with which to test the model estimates of Hg deposition, and these data suggest models over-estimated deposition fluxes under Arctic conditions. Reconstructed GEM data from glacial firn on Greenland Summit showed the best agreement with the known decline in global Hg emissions after about 1980, and were corroborated by archived aerosol filter data from Resolute, Nunavut. The relatively stable or slowly declining firn and model GEM trends after 1990 were also corroborated by real-time instrument measurements at Alert, Nunavut, after 1995. However, Hg fluxes and trends in northern Canadian lake sediments and a southern Greenland peat bog did not exhibit good agreement with model predictions of atmospheric deposition since 1990, the Greenland firn GEM record, direct GEM measurements, or trends in global emissions since 1980. Various explanations are proposed to account for these discrepancies between atmosphere and archives, including problems with the accuracy of archive chronologies, climate-driven changes in Hg transfer rates from air to catchments, waters and subsequently into sediments, and post-depositional diagenesis in peat bogs. However, no general consensus in the scientific community has been achieved.

Management of child patient behavior: quality of care, fear and anxiety, and the child patient

Behavior management is a key component when providing dental care to children who have suffered traumatic dental injuries. This article reviews the current status of behavior management including basic communication techniques and advanced techniques used by pediatric dentists. Emphasis is given to oral and inhalation sedation when treating children at initial visits status post dental injury. Little is known about the use of pharmacologic agents in managing young but behaviorally challenging patients who have suffered dental trauma. Future care involving sedation and specialized endodontic procedures of these young patients through collaborative efforts between endodontists and pediatric dentists seems promising and should be pursued.

The specificity and patterns of staining in human cells and tissues of p16INK4a antibodies demonstrate variant antigen binding

The validity of the identification and classification of human cancer using antibodies to detect biomarker proteins depends upon antibody specificity. Antibodies that bind to the tumour-suppressor protein p16INK4a are widely used for cancer diagnosis and research. In this study we examined the specificity of four commercially available anti-p16INK4a antibodies in four immunological applications. The antibodies H-156 and JC8 detected the same 16 kDa protein in western blot and immunoprecipitation tests, whereas the antibody F-12 did not detect any protein in western blot analysis or capture a protein that could be recognised by the H-156 antibody. In immunocytochemistry tests, the antibodies JC8 and H-156 detected a predominately cytoplasmic localised antigen, whose signal was depleted in p16INK4a siRNA experiments. F-12, in contrast, detected a predominately nuclear located antigen and there was no noticeable reduction in this signal after siRNA knockdown. Furthermore in immunohistochemistry tests, F-12 generated a different pattern of staining compared to the JC8 and E6H4 antibodies. These results demonstrate that three out of four commercially available p16INK4a antibodies are specific to, and indicate a mainly cytoplasmic localisation for, the p16INK4a protein. The F-12 antibody, which has been widely used in previous studies, gave different results to the other antibodies and did not demonstrate specificity to human p16INK4a. This work emphasizes the importance of the validation of commercial antibodies, aside to the previously reported use, for the full verification of immunoreaction specificity.

Abstract P4-17-03: Towards the standardisation of outcome reporting in reconstructive breast surgery: Initial results of the BRAVO (Breast Reconstruction and Valid Outcome) Study–A multicentre consensus process to develop a core outcome set for reconstructive breast surgery

Introduction: Appropriate outcome selection is essential if research is to guide decision-making for patients, professionals and policy makers. Systematic reviews evaluating the clinical, cosmetic and patient-reported outcomes of breast reconstruction, however, have demonstrated marked heterogeneity of outcome reporting such that results from individual studies cannot be compared or combined. Standardising end-points by developing and using core outcome sets - an agreed minimum set of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all research and audit studies – is one way by which outcome reporting may be improved. We therefore report the initial results of the BRAVO (Breast Reconstruction and Valid Outcomes) Study which aims to use a scientifically rigorous Delphi consensus process to develop a core outcome set for reconstructive breast surgery.

Methods: The Delphi process involves the sequential completion of questionnaires to allow stakeholder opinions to be synthesised using item responses to prioritise outcome domains.

The questionnaire was developed from a long list of 148 outcomes generated from literature reviews and qualitative work with stakeholders. The outcomes were categorised into 34 domains in six categories (short-term complications; late complications; symptoms; psychosocial issues; practical issues and cosmesis) and each domain operationalised.

Key stakeholders were identified as patients, surgeons, specialist nurses and psychologists and participants were sampled purposively to ensure a breadth of perspectives. Each participant was sent a questionnaire and asked to prioritise the outcomes on a nine-point likert scale from 1(not important) to 9(extremely important).

The number of respondents in each group rating each outcome as not important(scores 1–3); equivocal(scores 4–6) or very important(score 7–9) were calculated for each item and compared between groups. The proportions of respondents rating each item as very important(score 7–9) was used to rank the items.

Results: 213 of the 430 questionnaires were returned(126/274 patients and 87/156 professionals) giving a response rate of 49.5%.

Patient participants had a median age of 53.4 years(range 34–76) and had undergone a full range of reconstructive procedures. The professional group included 39 breast surgeons, 20 plastic surgeons and 18 clinical nurse specialists.

There was agreement between 7 of the 10 outcomes that each group rated most highly. Items with consensus included patient-reported cosmesis, cosmetic satisfaction and early complications. Patients, but not professionals, considered generic complications such as bleeding to be important while professionals valued psychosocial issues such as self-esteem more highly than patients.

Conclusions: Patients and professionals prioritise similar outcomes, but areas of discrepancy with regard to complications and psychosocial outcomes remain. A further Delphi round asking participants to re-prioritise outcomes and a consensus meeting to ratify the final decisions will be necessary to determine a final core outcome set for reconstructive breast surgery.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-17-03.

Health-related quality of life in patients with osteoporosis in the absence of vertebral fracture: a systematic review

To review whether osteoporosis in the absence of vertebral fracture (VFX) affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL), a systematic search of the main literature databases for HRQoL in patients with osteoporosis without VFX was undertaken. This was undertaken. This identified 1,327 articles as potentially relevant to the review. After screening of abstracts and reviewing 168 articles in detail, 27 were considered relevant. HRQoL data were extracted and collated into tables and, where possible, were converted into normative scores and further analysed. Data relating to the associations between HRQoL and bone mineral density (BMD) were also collated. Of the 27 articles included, only 5 directly compared osteoporosis without VFX with a control group (BMD T-score > -1.0, without VFX). Extracted raw data from 21 articles demonstrated that patients with osteoporosis without VFX had clinically relevant reductions in role physical, general health, vitality, mental health domains and the mental component summary score, using SF36. Using Qualeffo-41, pain and physical function were worse in these patients. Also, HRQoL was related to upper femur, but not lumbar spine BMD. HRQoL data in patients with osteoporosis without VFX are limited and variable but suggest that HRQoL is adversely affected by osteoporosis in the absence of VFX. The association of lower BMD and worse HRQoL suggests that more attention should be paid to HRQoL in those without VFX. Future studies are needed to investigate HRQoL in patients with osteoporosis in the absence of fracture, controlling for co-morbidities and social and economic status.

The effect of sigh on cardiorespiratory synchronization in healthy sleeping infants

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Sighs are thought to have a role in regulating breathing control. They may preceed a central apnea (sigh-CA) or a pause (sigh-P), particularly in quiet sleep. Recent techniques characterizing cardiorespiratory synchronization (CRS) provide sensitive measures of cardiorespiratory coupling, which is an important factor in breathing control. We speculated that the strength of CRS and direction of cardiorespiratory coupling (DC), would differ between sigh-P and sigh-CA; before and after a sigh; and with maturation.

DESIGN

Prospective study. CRS and DC were calculated from the respiratory signal and heart rate before and after sighs recorded during overnight polysomnography.

SETTING

Sleep laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

The data were selected from 15 subjects of a prospective cohort of 34 healthy infants at ages 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months.

INTERVENTIONS

N/A.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Both CRS and respiratory modulation on heart rate (RMH) (negative DC index) were decreased around sigh-CA compared with sigh-P at all ages. Short-term CRS decreased after both sigh-P and sigh-CA in infants aged 2 weeks and 3 months. Long term CRS did not change before and after sigh-P or sigh-CA. CRS and RMH were increased at 3 months and 6 months compared to 2 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

A sigh was not found to be associated with apparent resetting of breathing control in healthy infants less than 6 months of age. Cardiorespiratory coupling appears to be a leading marker of changes in breathing control, preceding central apnea associated with a sigh.

CITATION

Nguyen CD; Dakin C; Yuill M; Crozier S; Wilson S. The effect of sigh on cardiorespiratory synchronization in healthy sleeping infants. SLEEP 2012;35(12):1643-1650.

The effect of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 deficiency on pulmonary allergic responses in Aspergillus fumigatus sensitized mice

Background

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂)/platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. A therapeutic targeting of this enzyme was challenged by the concern that increased circulating platelet activating factor (PAF) may predispose to or increase the severity of the allergic airway response. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Lp-PLA₂ gene deficiency increases the risk of PAF and IgE-mediated inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo using mouse models.

Methods

Lp-PLA₂-/- mice were generated and back crossed to the C57BL/6 background. PAF-AH activity was measured using a hydrolysis assay in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples obtained from mice. Aspergillus fumigatus (Af)-specific serum was prepared for passive allergic sensitization of mice in vivo and mast cells in vitro. β- hexosaminidase release was studied in bone marrow derived mast cells sensitized with Af-specific serum or DNP-IgE and challenged with Af or DNP, respectively. Mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and PAF intratracheally and studied 24 hours later. Mice were sensitized either passively or actively against Af and were studied 48 hours after a single intranasal Af challenge. Airway responsiveness to methacholine, inflammatory cell influx in the lung tissue and BAL, immunoglobulin (ELISA) and cytokine (Luminex) profiles were compared between the wild type (WT) and Lp-PLA₂-/- mice.

Results

PAF-AH activity was reduced but not completely abolished in Lp-PLA₂-/- serum or by in vitro treatment of serum samples with a high saturating concentration of the selective Lp-PLA₂ inhibitor, SB-435495. PAF inhalation significantly enhanced airway inflammation of LPS treated WT and Lp-PLA₂-/- mice to a similar extent. Sensitized WT and Lp-PLA₂-/- bone-marrow derived mast cells released β-hexosaminidase following stimulation by allergen or IgE crosslinking to equivalent levels. Wild type and Lp-PLA₂-/- mice responded to passive or active allergic sensitization by significant IgE production, airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness after Af challenge. BAL cell influx was not different between these strains while IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and eotaxin release was attenuated in Lp-PLA₂-/- mice. There were no differences in the amount of total IgE levels in the Af sensitized WT and Lp-PLA₂-/- mice.

Conclusions

We conclude that Lp-PLA₂ deficiency in C57BL/6 mice did not result in a heightened airway inflammation or hyperresponsiveness after PAF/LPS treatment or passive or active allergic sensitization and challenge.

Outcomes of rehabilitation in older people--functioning and cognition are the most important predictors: an inception cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the influence of level of functioning and cognitive status on outcome after rehabilitation for older people with different types of impairment.

DESIGN

An inception cohort study.

SUBJECTS

A total of 560 older people, mean age 80.0 years, participating in rehabilitation programmes in the Sydney area.

METHODS

Level of functioning using the Functional Independence Measure (FIMTM), the Barthel Index, cognitive status using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and type of impairment were assessed on admission. Level of functioning and length of hospital stay were assessed on discharge and after 6 months.

RESULTS

Disability on admission was the strongest independent predictor for functioning at discharge (B=0.35, R2=0.49 p<0.001) and follow-up (B=0.22, R2=0.27, p<0.001), and for length of hospital stay (B= -0.63, R2=0.12, p<0.001). Cognitive status at admission (mean MMSE 25 (standard deviation 5.3)) was also a significant predictor of functioning at discharge and at follow-up (B=0.30, R2=0.42, p<0.01). Functional status prior to injury, joint replacement impairment category, and type of hospital had marginal, but statistically significant, impacts on functioning after discharge.

CONCLUSION

Functional status on admission to a rehabilitation facility has stronger predictive value than type of impairment for rehabilitation outcome for older people. Cognitive impairment may have a small adverse effect on rehabilitation outcome.

Bovine besnoitiosis and its effect on the male reproductive system

Besnoitia besnoiti and several species of the genus have been reported in a variety of domestic and wild animals in many parts of the world (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Cutaneous besnoitiosis in cattle has been described as a serious skin condition characterized by painful swellings, alopecia and thickening of the skin (6). It is a chronic, debilitating and occasionally fatal disease with both cutaneous and systemic manifestations (6, 7, 8). Besnoitia cysts and lesions have been observed in the testes, epididymes and blood vessels of bulls (9). The possibility of abortion in cows and sterility in bulls with besnoitiosis has been reported (6). Spontaneous clinical besnoitiosis in cattle with accompanying systemic manifestations has not been fully documented, and the effect of scrotal besnoitiosis on spermatogenesis in bulls has not been previously reported in Nigeria. Case report : Outbreaks of babesiosis, heartwater and suspected cutaneous besnoitiosis were observed in a government farm in the Kano State of Nigeria in March, 1979. The cattle population was over 1500, consisting of exotic (Bos taurus ) and indigenous (Bos indicus ) breeds and their crosses. Clinical Examination : All stages of clinical besnoitiosis were initially observed in 14 bulls and 1 cow in a period of 4 months. The farm was visited bi-weekly for 1 year, during which time 58 bulls and 2 cows showed the lesions. Most of the animals affected with this disease were 3-way crosses of Australian Draughtmaster x Rahaji x Niger Azwak (DM x Rh x AZ). Table 1 summarises the distribution of clinicial cases of besnoitiosis.

An electrical heart model incorporating real geometry and motion

This paper describes an electrical model of the ventricles incorporating real geometry and motion. Cardiac geometry and motion is obtained from segmentations of multiple-slice MRI time sequences. A static heart model developed previously is deformed to match the observed geometry using a novel shape registration algorithm. The resulting electrocardiograms and body surface potential maps are compared to a static simulation in the resting heart. These results demonstrate that introducing motion into the cardiac model modifies the ECG during the T wave at peak contraction of the ventricles.

Views of general practitioners in Grampian about undergraduate psychiatric teaching

This paper reports the free-text responses of general practitioners (GPs) in the Grampian area to a questionnaire about their experiences of undergraduate psychiatry teaching. Most respondents were senior GPs whose undergraduate training had taken place a number of years ago. Respondents varied in their perceptions of the quality of their psychiatric teaching. However, they reported common themes such as the bias of undergraduate teaching towards disorders which are less relevant to their practice, and the benefits of postgraduate training in psychiatry. We suggest that medical schools need to bear the needs of the non-psychiatrist in mind when developing curricula in psychiatry.

Difficulties in demonstrating long term immunity in FeLV vaccinated cats due to increasing age-related resistance to infection

Background

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a pathogen causing fatal illness in cats worldwide, and as such there is a high demand for products to protect against disease. The duration of immunity provided by an inactivated FeLV vaccine, Versifel FeLV, when administered to cats of the target age was determined. Kittens received two vaccinations when aged 7 to 9 weeks old, and were subsequently challenged up to 36 months later with the FeLV-A Glasgow isolate.

Results

In all studies, all of the younger aged control kittens showed persistent FeLV p27 antigenaemia confirming that the challenge virus was severe and efficacious. In contrast, the control cats did not show the required level of persistent antigenaemia, with a maximum of 45% cats affected in the middle duration study and only 10% in the longer study. However, apart from one animal in the short duration study, all of the cats vaccinated with Versifel FeLV were negative for persistent antigenaemia and can be considered treatment successes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have shown that although age-related resistance to infection with a virulent FeLV challenge is evident from as early as 10 months of age, vaccination with Versifel FeLV may aid in the protection of cats from FeLV related disease up to three years after primary vaccination as kittens.

Trends in presentation of bone and soft tissue sarcomas over 25 years: little evidence of earlier diagnosis

Earlier diagnosis is a key aim in achieving improved outcomes for patients with cancer. Bone and soft tissue sarcomas represent approximately 1% of all malignant tumours. Delays in diagnosis are frequent both because of their rarity and because the clinical features are easily confused with other conditions. In 2000 advice on earlier diagnosis was widely publicised. This study investigates how two factors that may act as a proxy for delay in diagnosis have varied over a 25-year period and whether there is evidence of improvement. Data on symptom duration and tumour size were collected prospectively on all new sarcoma patients referred to an orthopaedic oncology unit over 25 years. Data were available for 2,568 patients with primary bone sarcomas and 2,366 with soft tissue sarcomas. The mean sarcoma size at diagnosis was 10.7 cm and 9.9 cm respectively. The size of bone sarcomas had not changed over time but there had been a slight decrease in the size of soft tissue sarcomas (10.3 cm before 2000 vs 9.6 cm after 2000, p=0.03). The duration of symptoms reported by patients varied widely with a median of 16 weeks for bone sarcomas and 26 weeks for soft tissue sarcomas. The median duration of symptoms for bone sarcomas had actually increased since 2000 (16 weeks before vs 20 weeks after 2000, p<0.01). It remained unchanged for soft tissue sarcomas. These data show there is huge room for improvement in diagnosing bone and soft tissue sarcomas. New strategies are needed urgently.