The response of turkeys to dietary balanced protein during two periods of growth

1. Two experiments were conducted to measure the response of growing turkeys to dietary protein content. In the first, 960 sexed British United Turkey (BUT 6) poults were used to measure the response to balanced protein from 3 to 6 weeks of age. In the second, 1440 sexed BUT and Hybrid Converter poults were raised from 14 to 17 weeks.2. In both experiments, six levels of dietary protein were fed, with feed intake, body and feather weight gain and changes in body composition measured. The levels of protein chosen ranged from 0.53 to 1.2 of the Aviagen requirements for growing turkeys.3. In the first experiment, six poults were sampled from each sex at the start of the experiment for carcass analysis, and four were sampled from each strain and sex in the second. At the end of each experiment, eight poults from each treatment were sampled. Body composition analyses were made on individual defeathered birds.4. Weight gain increased linearly with protein intake in the early period and exponentially in the later period. In both periods, feed intake decreased as protein content reduced.5. In the early period, body lipid content increased from 20.2 to 41.5 g/kg body weight, as dietary protein content decreased, but there was no change in the later period. Efficiency of utilisation of dietary protein declined linearly with an increase in dietary protein content, from 0.87 to 0.46 g/g in the first, and from 0.43 to 0.27 g/g in the later period.6. The inability of the growing turkey to increase feed intake on marginally limiting feeds may have been due to a genetic constraints to store excess energy consumed as body lipid, resulting in the observed decrease in feed intake as dietary protein content is reduced.

The integrated stress response-related expression of CHOP due to mitochondrial toxicity is a warning sign for DILI liability

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the most frequent reasons for failure of drugs in clinical trials or market withdrawal. Early assessment of DILI risk remains a major challenge during drug development. Here, we present a mechanism-based weight-of-evidence approach able to identify certain candidate compounds with DILI liabilities due to mitochondrial toxicity.

METHODS

A total of 1587 FDA-approved drugs and 378 kinase inhibitors were screened for cellular stress response activation associated with DILI using an imaging-based HepG2 BAC-GFP reporter platform including the integrated stress response (CHOP), DNA damage response (P21) and oxidative stress response (SRXN1).

RESULTS

In total 389, 219 and 104 drugs were able to induce CHOP-GFP, P21-GFP and SRXN1-GFP expression at 50 μM respectively. Concentration response analysis identified 154 FDA-approved drugs as critical CHOP-GFP inducers. Based on predicted and observed (pre-)clinical DILI liabilities of these drugs, nine antimycotic drugs (e.g. butoconazole, miconazole, tioconazole) and 13 central nervous system (CNS) agents (e.g. duloxetine, fluoxetine) were selected for transcriptomic evaluation using whole-genome RNA-sequencing of primary human hepatocytes. Gene network analysis uncovered mitochondrial processes, NRF2 signalling and xenobiotic metabolism as most affected by the antimycotic drugs and CNS agents. Both the selected antimycotics and CNS agents caused impairment of mitochondrial oxygen consumption in both HepG2 and primary human hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, the results suggest that early pre-clinical screening for CHOP expression could indicate liability of mitochondrial toxicity in the context of DILI, and, therefore, could serve as an important warning signal to consider during decision-making in drug development.

Insights into the clinical presentation, diagnostics and outcome in dogs presenting with neurological signs secondary to infection with Neospora caninum: 41 cases (2014-2023)

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical signs and outcome of a large cohort of dogs presenting with neurological signs secondary to Neospora caninum infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of cases presenting to two UK referral centres with neurological signs secondary to N. caninum infection between 2014 and 2023. Presenting signs, diagnostic test results, treatment, short- and long-term outcome analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 1690 cases were assessed for eligibility. Forty-four cases with a diagnosis of neosporosis were obtained. Three cases were then excluded due to non-neurological presentations (two hepatitis and one myocarditis). A total of 41 cases were included in the study. Cerebello-vestibular signs predominated; however, presenting clinical signs were varied and the neurolocalisation was often multifocal in nature (46.3%), making neosporosis an important differential diagnosis for meningoencephalitis of unknown origin. Complete clinical improvement was rare (5.6%), and relapses were common (27.8% cases with follow-up).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Neosporosis remains an important differential diagnosis for dogs at any age presenting with multifocal neurological signs. The outcome is considered poor and relapse rate is high.

Dietary energy:protein ratio influences the efficiency of utilisation of dietary protein by growing turkeys

1. The following experiment was designed to confirm that the efficiency of dietary protein utilisation (ep) can be reduced when the AMEn to digestible crude protein (DCP) ratio of the feed falls below a critical level. In addition, whether the efficiency would be improved at high DCP contents through the addition of oil or starch was determined.2. A 14d trial (starting at 21 d of age), using BUT 6 turkeys, was designed to measure the effects on ep of four feeds (12.1 MJ AMEn/kg) with AMEn:DCP ratios ranging from 45 to 72 MJ AMEn/kg, and two additional feeds with the same DCP as the highest protein feed, one with an AMEn:DCP ratio of 59, through the addition of canola oil, and the other with a ratio of 51 MJ/kg supplemented with both starch and oil. Twenty birds constituted each experimental unit, with two replications of each sex being used per dietary treatment.3. Ten birds per sex were sampled at the start of the trial and a further five per pen at the end for carcass analysis. Each carcass including feathers was ground and subsampled for water, protein and lipid determination.4. A split-line regression described ep on the four feeds unsupplemented with additional energy (R² = 0.81) with breakpoint at 60.6 MJ AME/kg DCP, maximum ep at 0.736 g/g, and a slope of 0.017. No improvement in ep resulted from supplementing the high protein feed with oil or a mixture of oil and starch, but feed intake and protein and lipid retention increased significantly (P < 0.05).5. The argument that insufficient energy is available to enable high protein feeds to be utilised efficiently was not corroborated by the evidence from this trial.

SimRFlow: An R-based workflow for automated high-throughput PBPK simulation with the Simcyp® simulator

SimRFlow is a high-throughput physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling tool which uses Certara’s Simcyp® simulator. The workflow is comprised of three main modules: 1) a Data Collection module for automated curation of physicochemical (from ChEMBL and the Norman Suspect List databases) and experimental data (i.e.: clearance, plasma-protein binding, and blood-to-plasma ratio, from httk-R package databases), 2) a Simulation module which activates the Simcyp® simulator and runs Monte Carlo simulations on virtual subjects using the curated data, and 3) a Data Visualisation module for understanding the simulated compound-specific profiles and predictions. SimRFlow has three administration routes (oral, intravenous, dermal) and allows users to change some simulation parameters including the number of subjects, simulation duration, and dosing. Users are only expected to provide a file of the compounds they wish to simulate, and in return the workflow provides summary statistics, concentration-time profiles of various tissue types, and a database file (containing in-depth results) for each simulated compound. This is presented within a guided and easy-to-use R Shiny interface which provides many plotting options for the visualisation of concentration-time profiles, parameter distributions, trends between the different parameters, as well as comparison of predicted parameters across all batch-simulated compounds. The in-built R functions can be assembled in user-customised scripts which allows for the modification of the workflow for different purposes. SimRFlow proves to be a time-efficient tool for simulating a large number of compounds without any manual curation of physicochemical or experimental data necessary to run Simcyp® simulations.

AB1566-HPR SHIFTING THE MINDSET: USING A HEALTH COACHING APPROACH FOR HEALTH PROMOTING CONSULTATION IN ADOLESCENT RHEUMATOLOGY

Background

Juvenile rheumatic diseases have a significant negative impact on health early in life which may affect later health outcomes. The Adolescent and Young Adult Rheumatology Department (AYAD) at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) looks after over 2,000 young people with a variety of rheumatological conditions and provides developmentally appropriate interdisciplinary (ID) approach to healthcare.

Health coaching (HC) is “a behavioural intervention that facilitates participants in establishing and attaining health promoting goals in order to change lifestyle-related behaviour, with the intent of reducing health risks, improving self-management of chronic conditions, and increasing health related quality of life”.[1] Evidence shows that health coaching can improve health related behaviours including medication adherence, patient activation, and use of healthcare resources. [2-4]

Objectives

The aim of this project is to enable young people attending the AYAD to establish and achieve their own health-promoting goals and thereby change behaviour and increase confidence in self-management. As a first stage the aim was to develop health coaching capabilities within our ID Team by March 2022.

Methods

The strategy to deliver this project included commissioning a recognised core skills health coaching course for multidisciplinary team (MDT) members. Pre and post course surveys were completed by participants.

Results

All the AYA team members comprising 3 physiotherapists, 2 nurse specialists, a transition pathway coordinator, 4 consultants and 2 senior registrars took part in the health coaching workshops.

A pre course survey (10/ 12 responded) revealed that 70% of MDT members felt their consultations focused solely on young people’s medical/clinical care. 80% reported they discuss lifestyle choices such as sleep, and weight management. 40 % felt that their consultation times were long enough to discuss resources that would support long-term management. 30% reported they felt effective in facilitating Young people and their families to self-manage and/or had sufficient health coaching awareness to facilitate behaviour change.

The course was delivered over 2 separate days, one week apart, and included educational material, presentations, group discussion and skills development delivered in a coaching style.

A post course survey (11/12 responses) demonstrated 100% of participants were satisfied with the course content, delivery, facilitation and opportunities to work and learn with colleagues, and felt that the skills were applicable to their work. They reported that the skills learned could be applied beyond healthcare, for example, with colleagues or in leadership roles, the course helped to raise self-awareness of behaviours that can negatively and positively impact patient and family engagement in their care, and that using some techniques and small changes to practice could potentially have a big impact on quality of care and outcomes as well as patient and staff experience.

Conclusion

Health coaching skills were considered as a useful tool by all AYAD team members.

Skills gained on the course were considered useful in managing young people and applicable in settings beyond clinical care.

The next stage of this project will include embedding the techniques learned into clinical practice and measuring qualitative and quantitative outcomes over time

References

[1]van Ryn, M., & Heaney, C. A. (1997). Developing effective helping relationships in health education practice. Health Education & Behavior, 24(6), 683–702

[2]https://www.health.org.uk/publications/reducing-emergency-admissions-unlocking-the-potential-of-people-to-better-manage-their-long-term-conditions

[3]Newman P, McDowell A, Life changing conversations: clinicians experience of health coaching in the east of England, 3-2-147 Future Hosp J June 1, 2016

[4]https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/health-coaching-implementation-and-quality-summary-guide.pdf

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Understanding Inter-individual Variability in the Drug Interaction of a Highly Extracted CYP1A2 Substrate Tizanidine: Application of a Permeability-limited Multi-compartment Liver Model in a Population Based PBPK Framework

Tizanidine, a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant, is predominantly metabolised by CYP1A2 and undergoes extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism following oral administration. As a highly extracted drug, the systemic exposure to tizanidine exhibits considerable inter-individual variability and is altered substantially when co-administered with CYP1A2 inhibitors or inducers. The aim of the current study was to compare the performance of a permeability-limited multi-compartment liver (PerMCL) model, which operates as an approximation of the dispersion model (DM), and the well-stirred model (WSM) for predicting tizanidine DDIs. Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models were developed for tizanidine, incorporating the PerMCL model and the WSM, respectively, to simulate the interaction of tizanidine with a range of CYP1A2 inhibitors and inducers. While the WSM showed a tendency to under-predict the fold change of tizanidine AUC (AUC ratio) in the presence of perpetrators, the use of PerMCL model increased precision (absolute average-fold error: 1.32 - 1.42 versus 1.58) and decreased bias (average-fold error: 0.97 - 1.25 versus 0.63) for the predictions of mean AUC ratios as compared to the WSM. The PerMCL model captured the observed range of individual AUC ratios of tizanidine as well as the correlation between individual AUC ratios and CYP1A2 activities without interactions, whereas the WSM was not able to capture these. The results demonstrate the advantage of using the PerMCL model over the WSM in predicting the magnitude and inter-individual variability of DDIs for a highly extracted sensitive substrate tizanidine. Significance Statement This study demonstrates the advantages of the permeability-limited multi-compartment liver (PerMCL) model, which operates as an approximation of the dispersion model (DM), in mitigating the tendency of the well-stirred model (WSM) to under-predict the magnitude and variability of DDIs of a highly extracted CYP1A2 substrate tizanidine when it is administered with CYP1A2 inhibitors or inducers. The PBPK modelling approach described herein is valuable to the understanding of drug interactions of highly extracted substrates and the source of its inter-individual variability.

A Transcriptomic Approach to Elucidate the Mechanisms of Gefitinib-Induced Toxicity in Healthy Human Intestinal Organoids

Gefitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that selectively inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), hampering cell growth and proliferation. Due to its action, gefitinib has been used in the treatment of cancers that present abnormally increased expression of EGFR. However, side effects from gefitinib therapy may occur, among which diarrhoea is most common, that can lead to interruption of the planned therapy in the more severe cases. The mechanisms underlying intestinal toxicity induced by gefitinib are not well understood. Therefore, this study aims at providing insight into these mechanisms based on transcriptomic responses induced in vitro. A 3D culture of healthy human colon and small intestine (SI) organoids was exposed to 0.1, 1, 10 and 30 µM of gefitinib, for a maximum of three days. These drug concentrations were selected using physiologically-based pharmacokinetic simulation considering patient dosing regimens. Samples were used for the analysis of viability and caspase 3/7 activation, image-based analysis of structural changes, as well as RNA isolation and sequencing via high-throughput techniques. Differential gene expression analysis showed that gefitinib perturbed signal transduction pathways, apoptosis, cell cycle, FOXO-mediated transcription, p53 signalling pathway, and metabolic pathways. Remarkably, opposite expression patterns of genes associated with metabolism of lipids and cholesterol biosynthesis were observed in colon versus SI organoids in response to gefitinib. These differences in the organoids’ responses could be linked to increased activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in colon, which can influence the sensitivity of the colon to the drug. Therefore, this study sheds light on how gefitinib induces toxicity in intestinal organoids and provides an avenue towards the development of a potential tool for drug screening and development.

Unravelling Mechanisms of Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity in 3D Human Intestinal Organoids

Doxorubicin is widely used in the treatment of different cancers, and its side effects can be severe in many tissues, including the intestines. Symptoms such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain caused by intestinal inflammation lead to the interruption of chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms associated with doxorubicin intestinal toxicity have been poorly explored. This study aims to investigate such mechanisms by exposing 3D small intestine and colon organoids to doxorubicin and to evaluate transcriptomic responses in relation to viability and apoptosis as physiological endpoints. The in vitro concentrations and dosing regimens of doxorubicin were selected based on physiologically based pharmacokinetic model simulations of treatment regimens recommended for cancer patients. Cytotoxicity and cell morphology were evaluated as well as gene expression and biological pathways affected by doxorubicin. In both types of organoids, cell cycle, the p53 signalling pathway, and oxidative stress were the most affected pathways. However, significant differences between colon and SI organoids were evident, particularly in essential metabolic pathways. Short time-series expression miner was used to further explore temporal changes in gene profiles, which identified distinct tissue responses. Finally, in silico proteomics revealed important proteins involved in doxorubicin metabolism and cellular processes that were in line with the transcriptomic responses, including cell cycle and senescence, transport of molecules, and mitochondria impairment. This study provides new insight into doxorubicin-induced effects on the gene expression levels in the intestines. Currently, we are exploring the potential use of these data in establishing quantitative systems toxicology models for the prediction of drug-induced gastrointestinal toxicity.

A read-across case study on chronic toxicity of branched carboxylic acids (1): Integration of mechanistic evidence from new approach methodologies (NAMs) to explore a common mode of action

This read-across case study characterises thirteen, structurally similar carboxylic acids demonstrating the application of in vitro and in silico human-based new approach methods, to determine biological similarity. Based on data from in vivo animal studies, the read-across hypothesis is that all analogues are steatotic and so should be considered hazardous. Transcriptomic analysis to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hepatocytes served as first tier testing to confirm a common mode-of-action and identify differences in the potency of the analogues. An adverse outcome pathway (AOP) network for hepatic steatosis, informed the design of an in vitro testing battery, targeting AOP relevant MIEs and KEs, and Dempster-Shafer decision theory was used to systematically quantify uncertainty and to define the minimal testing scope. The case study shows that the read-across hypothesis is the critical core to designing a robust, NAM-based testing strategy. By summarising the current mechanistic understanding, an AOP enables the selection of NAMs covering MIEs, early KEs, and late KEs. Experimental coverage of the AOP in this way is vital since MIEs and early KEs alone are not confirmatory of progression to the AO. This strategy exemplifies the workflow previously published by the EUTOXRISK project driving a paradigm shift towards NAM-based NGRA.

Chemical concentrations in cell culture compartments (C5) - free concentrations

In biological systems (cell culture media, cells, body fluids), drugs/toxicants are usually not freely dissolved but partially bound to biomolecules; only a fraction of the chemical is free/unbound (fu). To predict pharmacological effects and toxicity, it is important that the fu of the drug is known. As the differences between free and nominal concentrations are determined by test system parameters (e.g., the protein and lipid content, and the type of surface material), comparison of nominal concentrations between two different new approach methods (NAM) may lead to faulty conclusions. The same problem exists when in vitro concentrations are compared to those in human subjects. Therefore, the respective fu of a chemical in a test system needs to be determined for in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolations (IVIVE). Besides direct measurements, prediction models can help to obtain fu. Here we describe a simplified approach to approximate fu and provide background information on the underlying assumptions. Comparative predictions and measurements of fu of various drugs are shown to exemplify the approach. Basic input data, like protein and lipid concentrations, are also provided. Beyond such test systems data, the only required chemical-specific inputs are the lipophilicity of the candidate drug and its ionization state, as determined by the dissociation constants of its acidic or basic groups. This overview is intended to be used by any lab scientist without specific toxicokinetics training to obtain an estimate of fu in a given cell culture medium.

Mental health improvements after elective spine surgery: a Canadian Spine Outcome Research Network (CSORN) study

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Spine patients have a higher rate of depression then the general population which may be caused in part by levels of pain and disability from their spinal disease.

PURPOSE

Determination whether improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) resulting from successful spine surgery leads to improvements in mental health.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

The Canadian Spine Outcome Research Network prospective surgical outcome registry.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Change between preoperative and postoperative SF12 Mental Component Score (MCS). Secondary outcomes include European Quality of Life (EuroQoL) Healthstate, SF-12 Physical Component Score (PCS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ9), and pain scales.

METHODS

The Canadian Spine Outcome Research Network registry was queried for all patients receiving surgery for degenerative thoracolumbar spine disease. Exclusion criteria were trauma, tumor, infection, and previous spine surgery. SF12 Mental Component Scores (MCS) were compared between those with and without significant improvement in postoperative disability (ODI) and secondary measures. Multivariate analysis examined factors predictive of MCS improvement.

RESULTS

Eighteen hospitals contributed 3222 eligible patients. Worse ODI, EuroQoL, PCS, back pain and leg pain correlated with worse MCS at all time points. Overall, patients had an improvement in MCS that occurred within 3 months of surgery and was still present 24 months after surgery. Patients exceeding Minimally Clinically Important Differences in ODI had the greatest improvements in MCS. Major depression prevalence decreased up to 48% following surgery, depending on spine diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Large scale, real world, registry data suggests that successful surgery for degenerative lumbar disease is associated with reduction in the prevalence of major depression regardless of the specific underlaying diagnosis. Worse baseline MCS was associated with worse baseline HRQOL and improved postoperatively with coincident improvement in disability, emphasizing that mental wellness is not a static state but may improve with well-planned spine surgery.

The paradox-breaking panRAF plus SRC family kinase inhibitor, CCT3833, is effective in mutant KRAS-driven cancers

BACKGROUND

KRAS is mutated in ∼90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, ∼35% of colorectal cancers and ∼20% of non-small-cell lung cancers. There has been recent progress in targeting G12CKRAS specifically, but therapeutic options for other mutant forms of KRAS are limited, largely because the complexity of downstream signaling and feedback mechanisms mean that targeting individual pathway components is ineffective.

DESIGN

The protein kinases RAF and SRC are validated therapeutic targets in KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, colorectal cancers and non-small-cell lung cancers and we show that both must be inhibited to block growth of these cancers. We describe CCT3833, a new drug that inhibits both RAF and SRC, which may be effective in KRAS-mutant cancers.

RESULTS

We show that CCT3833 inhibits RAF and SRC in KRAS-mutant tumors in vitro and in vivo, and that it inhibits tumor growth at well-tolerated doses in mice. CCT3833 has been evaluated in a phase I clinical trial (NCT02437227) and we report here that it significantly prolongs progression-free survival of a patient with a G12VKRAS spindle cell sarcoma who did not respond to a multikinase inhibitor and therefore had limited treatment options.

CONCLUSIONS

New drug CCT3833 elicits significant preclinical therapeutic efficacy in KRAS-mutant colorectal, lung and pancreatic tumor xenografts, demonstrating a treatment option for several areas of unmet clinical need. Based on these preclinical data and the phase I clinical unconfirmed response in a patient with KRAS-mutant spindle cell sarcoma, CCT3833 requires further evaluation in patients with other KRAS-mutant cancers.

A description of the growth and moulting of feathers in commercial broilers

1. Changes in feather length and weight and daily losses of down, contour feathers, remiges and retrices were studied in two commercial broiler strains to determine feather growth and moult in broilers up to 112 d of age. 2. Ten pens of 20 chicks for each sex x strain were fed adequate amounts of dietary protein in a four-phase feeding programme. Ten birds were sampled per genotype at 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98 and 112 d. Feather loss was determined for individual birds caged within a nylon net. 3. All feathers were dry-plucked from each of seven tracts, with representative feathers from the capital-cervical, dorsopelvic and interscapular, pectoral and femoral tracts being randomly selected. Three rectrices of the dorsocaudal tract and three primaries and secondaries of the humeral-alar tract of the right wing were evaluated. 4. The length of the selected feathers was measured, and the feathers from each tract and from the whole bird were weighed. 5. A wide range of rates of maturing (0.0250-0.0907/d) and mature weights (9.62-52.9 g) were evident between sampled tracts. 6. Feather weight failed to predict some moults which were detected by the measurement of feather losses. From the weight data, moulting was evident only in the humeral-alar and dorsocaudal tracts, whereas, when daily losses were measured, contour feathers accounted for over 0.7 proportion of feather losses. Logistic equations adequately described the cumulative losses of down, contour feathers and remiges. 7. Feather loss needs to be considered when feather growth is determined from feather weight at different ages. 8. The rate of maturing (B) of feathers was numerically higher in Ross males and females than in the Cobb strain. In females, B was higher than in males (0.0483 vs. 0335/d) but the mature weight was lower (162 vs. 230 g).

Investigation of the relationship between ionised and total calcium in dogs with ionised hypercalcaemia

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between total and ionised calcium concentrations in dogs with ionised hypercalcaemia and to evaluate how albumin influences this relationship.

METHODS

Initially, a reference interval for ionised and total calcium was established using a large population of healthy adult dogs. Our teaching hospital clinical database was searched to identify adult dogs with ionised hypercalcaemia between 2012 and 2017, a time frame when the same sample handling and analysis protocols were in place as for the healthy reference interval population. The relationship between ionised and total calcium concentrations was then examined in the ionised hypercalcaemia population.

RESULTS

Based on biochemical analysis of 351 healthy adult dogs, a reference interval of 1.18 to 1.53 mmol/L for ionised calcium and 2.24 to 2.85 mmol/L for total calcium was established. Using these reference intervals, 63 dogs with ionised hypercalcaemia were identified, of which 23 did not have total hypercalcaemia. Only seven of the 23 dogs with ionised hypercalcaemia and total calcium below the upper limit of the reference interval had hypoalbuminemia. The majority of dogs with ionised hypercalcemia and normal total calcium had a modest increase in ionised calcium.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

If relying on total calcium alone, more than one third of dogs with ionised hypercalcaemia will be classified as normocalcaemic and the majority of these dogs had normal serum albumin.

A description of the potential growth and body composition of two commercial broiler strains

1. The potential growth of feathers and feather-free body and their chemical components was measured in two commercial broiler strains. 2. A total of 200 chicks of each sex x strain were fed adequate amounts of dietary protein using a four-phase feeding programme. Ten birds per genotype were sampled at 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98 and 112 d of age. They were weighed before and after being dry-plucked to determine the weight of feathers, and the feather-free body was then minced and analysed for water, protein and lipid. 3. Body weights and chemical composition of males of the two strains were similar throughout the trial. Females of the two strains differed only in their body lipid contents, with mature Cobb females being higher than Ross (1371 vs. 1210 g). 4. Mature body weights of males and females from both strains averaged 8420 g and 6650 g; mature body protein weights averaged 1555 g and 1030 g; and mature body lipid contents averaged 908 and 1290 g, respectively. 5. Rates of maturing per day of body weights of males and females of both strains averaged 0.0385 and 0.0368; feather-free body protein was 0.0316 and 0.0348 and body lipid was 0.0503 and 0.0375, respectively. The rates for body lipid differed between Cobb and Ross females (0.0352 vs. 0.0397/d). Separate equations were required for males and females to describe the allometric relationship between lipid and protein in the feather-free body. 6. The rate of maturing of feathers in females was higher than in males (0.0526 vs. 0398/d) and the mature weight was lower (205 vs. 266 g), respectively. Mature body weights of broilers in this trial were considerably higher than those measured using the same protocol 24 years ago, whereas rates of maturing remained the same.

Quantitative Systems Toxicology Modeling To Address Key Safety Questions in Drug Development: A Focus of the TransQST Consortium

Omics data have been increasingly generated with limited demonstrated value in drug safety assessment. The TransQST consortium was launched to use omics and other data in mechanistic-based quantitative systems toxicology (QST) models to evaluate their potential use in species translation.

The adequacy of tissue microarrays in the assessment of inter- and intra-tumoural heterogeneity of infiltrating lymphocyte burden in leiomyosarcoma

The characterisation and clinical relevance of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in leiomyosarcoma (LMS), a subtype of soft tissue sarcoma that exhibits histological heterogeneity, is not established. The use of tissue microarrays (TMA) in studies that profile TIL burden is attractive but given the potential for intra-tumoural heterogeneity to introduce sampling errors, the adequacy of this approach is undetermined. In this study, we assessed the histological inter- and intra-tumoural heterogeneity in TIL burden within a retrospective cohort of primary LMS specimens. Using a virtual TMA approach, we also analysed the optimal number of TMA cores required to provide an accurate representation of TIL burden in a full tissue section. We establish that LMS have generally low and spatially homogenous TIL burdens, although a small proportion exhibit higher levels and more heterogeneous distribution of TILs. We show that a conventional and practical number (e.g. ≤3) of TMA cores is adequate for correct ordinal categorisation of tumours with high or low TIL burden, but that many more cores (≥11) are required to accurately estimate absolute TIL numbers. Our findings provide a benchmark for the design of future studies aiming to define the clinical relevance of the immune microenvironments of LMS and other sarcoma subtypes.

Embryonal and Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in Adults: Real-Life Data From a Tertiary Sarcoma Centre

AIMS

Embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS, ARMS) are subtypes of RMS that mainly occur in children, with relatively good outcomes. The incidence in adults is extremely low and survival is significantly worse compared with children. Data are scarce and literature generally combines all RMS subtypes, including pleomorphic RMS, which primarily occurs in adults and behaves more like undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient and tumour characteristics, outcome and prognostic factors in adult patients with ERMS and ARMS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All adult (18 years or older) ERMS and ARMS patients (presenting 1990-2016) were identified from a prospectively maintained database and were included in this analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 66 patients were included (42 men, 24 women). The median age at presentation was 28 years (range 18-71). The median overall survival for all ARMS (n = 42) and ERMS (n = 24) patients was 18 months, with a 5-year overall survival rate of 27%. Patients presenting with localised disease (n = 38, 58%) and metastatic disease (n = 25, 42%), had a 5-year overall survival rate of 36% and 11%, respectively. In univariate analysis we found alveolar subtype, fusion gene positivity, infiltrative tumour and metastatic presentation to be negative prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

Survival in adult ERMS and ARMS patients is poor and the current data may be useful in the design of trials with novel agents. Ideally, paediatric and adult oncologists should set up trials together to get a better understanding of biological, genetic and clinically relevant factors in this disease.

The growth of turkeys 1. Growth of the body and feathers and the chemical composition of growth

1. The potential growth of modern turkey genotypes was measured using male and female BUT 6 (BUT) and Hybrid Converter (HYB) strains. At one-day-old, 720 male and 960 female poults were randomly allocated to 48 littered pens in two houses with 30 males or 40 females of each strain per pen. Five feeds of decreasing protein content were fed to both sexes during the growing period. 2. Birds were weighed at 1, 7, 14, 21, 35, 56, 77, 119 d (males only), 126 d (females only) and 140 d (males only) and, on each occasion, six birds were selected and removed for carcass analysis. 3. Growth was similar in both strains, but the growth rate of females appeared to decline relative to the earlier trajectory after 70 d, and this tendency being greater in HYB females. 4. HYB birds of both sexes had more feathers than BUT to 77 d, but thereafter these differences were non-significant. A single allometry between feather and body protein weight was observed over all genotypes with no differences apparent between sexes within strains. The Gompertz curve adequately described the growth of body protein, water and ash. 5. Body lipid (g/100g bodyweight) declined in the early stages of growth. This might reflect an energy deficiency in the diet or might indicate that the present description of lipid growth does not apply in turkeys as it does in other species. 6. Whereas the description of body growth, feather growth and the chemical components of growth given in this paper may not fully reflect the true potential of the genotypes used, nevertheless they provide useful information regarding the latest genotypes available in the turkey industry. Some of the observations suggested that current performance might be improved if further research is conducted regarding dietary energy transactions.

The growth of turkeys 2. Body components and allometric relationships

1. The relationships between the main components of the body and body protein among males and females of BUT 6 (BUT) and Hybrid Converter (HYB) turkey strains were examined. 2. The weights of breast meat, breast skin, drumstick meat, drumstick skin, thigh meat, thigh skin and wing-plus-skin as well as the head, neck, feet, blood, heart, liver and gizzard were measured at different stages of growth after which all components of each bird were minced together in order to determine the feather-free body protein weight of each bird sampled. Using the weights of the components and the protein content of each bird the allometric relationships between the components and body protein were determined and then compared for each strain x sex combination. 3. By excluding the breast weights at day-old and at 7 d, the remaining points produced an acceptable allometric relationship (R² = 0.992). Thigh weight could be predicted for all strain x sex combinations using one allometric equation, as could drumstick skin weight. Breast and thigh skin weights differed between males and females. Females of the HYB strain exhibited heavier drumstick and wing-plus-skin weights at a given body protein weight than the other three strain x sex combinations. These differences in both the constant term and regression coefficient in the allometric equations between genotypes are probably due to differences in the amount of lipid that is deposited in these tissues. 4. Sexes differed in the allometric relationships for head, feet, heart and liver, while breeds differed in gizzard weight. A common relationship between the four genotypes could be used to predict the weight of blood in the carcass. 5. The allometric equations fitted to the data in this trial enable the accurate prediction of the weights of the different physical components given the weight of body protein.

The use of laser-based diagnostics for the rapid identification of infectious agents in human blood

AIMS

To investigate the use of a laser-based method of detection as a potential diagnostic test for the rapid identification of infectious agents in human blood.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, the successful differentiation of blood spiked with viruses, bacteria or protozoan parasites to clinically relevant levels is demonstrated using six blood types (O+, O-, AB+, A+, A-, B+) using blood from different individuals with blood samples prepared in two different laboratories. Experiments were performed using various compositions of filters, experimental set-ups and experimental parameters for spectral capture.

CONCLUSIONS

The potential for developing a laser-based diagnostic instrument to detect the presence of parasites, bacteria and viruses in human blood capable of providing analysis results within minutes was demonstrated.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

There is an ongoing need for clinical diagnostics to adapt to newly emerging agents and to screen simultaneously for multiple infectious agents. A laser-based approach can achieve sensitive, multiplex detection with minimal sample preparation and provide rapid results (within minutes). These properties along with the flexibility to add new agent detection by simply adjusting the detection programming make it a promising tool for clinical diagnosis.

VIVD: Virtual in vitro distribution model for the mechanistic prediction of intracellular concentrations of chemicals in in vitro toxicity assays

In vitro toxicity testing routinely uses nominal treatment concentrations as the driver for measured toxicity endpoints. However, test compounds can bind to the plastic of culture vessels or interact with culture media components, such as lipids and albumin. Additionally, volatile compounds may partition into the air above culture media. These processes reduce the free concentrations of compound to which cells are exposed. Models predicting the freely dissolved concentrations by accounting for these interactions have been published. However, these have only been applied to neutral compounds or assume no differential ionisation of test compounds between the media and cell cytoplasm. Herein, we describe an in vitro distribution model, based on the Fick-Nernst Planck equation accounting for differential compound ionisation in culture medium and intracellular water. The model considers permeability of ionised and unionised species and accounts for membrane potential in the partitioning of ionised moieties. By accounting for lipid and protein binding in culture medium, binding to cell culture plastic, air-partitioning, and lipid binding in the cell, the model can predict chemical concentrations (free and total) in medium and cells. The model can improve in vitro in vivo extrapolation of toxicity endpoint by determining intracellular concentrations for translation to in vivo.

Sensitivity and specificity of microRNA-122 for liver disease in dogs

BACKGROUND

Current tests for diagnosing liver disease in dogs are sub-optimal. MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) is a sensitive and specific biomarker of liver injury in humans and rodents. Circulating miR-122 could have utility in identifying dogs with liver disease.

OBJECTIVE

Establish the reference interval for miR-122 in healthy dogs and determine performance in a range of dog breeds with liver disease and control animals with non-liver disease.

ANIMALS

Stored serum from 120 healthy dogs, 100 dogs with non-liver diseases, and 30 dogs with histologically confirmed liver disease was analyzed.

METHODS

Retrospective study. Medical records of dogs with liver disease, non-liver disease and healthy dogs were reviewed. Serum miR-122 concentrations were measured by PCR and compared with the characteristics of the dogs and their conventional clinical measurements.

RESULTS

In healthy dogs the 2.5th, 50th, and 97.5th quartiles of miR-122 were 110 (90% CI 80-114), 594 (505-682), and 3312 (2925-5144) copies/μL, respectively. There was no difference between healthy dogs and dogs with non-liver disease (median ± IQR: healthy dogs 609 [327-1014] copies/μL; non-liver disease 607 [300-1351] copies/μL). miR-122 was higher in dogs with liver disease (11 332 [4418-20 520] copies/μL, P < .001 compared to healthy dogs). miR-122 identified dogs with liver disease with high accuracy (receiver operating characteristic area under curve for comparison with healthy dogs: 0.93 [95% CI 0.86-0.99]). The upper limit of normal for healthy dogs (3312 copies/μL) had a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 97% for identifying liver disease.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Liver disease can be sensitively and specifically diagnosed in dogs by measurement of miR-122.

Impact of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score on Surgical Referral Patterns and Outcomes

Background

The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (sins) was developed to identify patients with spinal metastases who may benefit from surgical consultation. We aimed to assess the distribution of sins in a population-based cohort of patients undergoing palliative spine radiotherapy (rt) and referral rates to spinal surgery pre-rt. Secondary outcomes included referral to a spine surgeon post-rt, overall survival, maintenance of ambulation, need for re-intervention, and presence of spinal adverse events.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed ct simulation scans and charts of consecutive patients receiving palliative spine rt between 2012 and 2013. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test, Chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Kaplan-Meier log-rank tests. Patients were stratified into low (<7) and high (≥7) sins groups.

Results

We included 195 patients with a follow-up of 6.1 months. The median sins was 7. The score was 0 to 6 (low, no referral recommended), 7 to 12 (intermediate, consider referral), and 13 to 18 (high, referral suggested) in 34%, 59%, and 7% of patients, respectively. Eleven patients had pre-rt referral to spine surgery, with a surgery performed in 0 of 1 patient with sins 0 to 6, 1 of 7 with sins 7 to 12, and 1 of 3 with sins 13 to 18. Seven patients were referred to a surgeon post-rt with salvage surgery performed in two of those patients. Primary and secondary outcomes did not differ between low and high sins groups.

Conclusion

Higher sins was associated with pre-rt referral to a spine surgeon, but most patients with high sins were not referred. Higher sins was not associated with shorter survival or worse outcome following rt.

Improved Antiviral Activity of a Polyamide Against High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Via N-Terminal Guanidinium Substitution

We report the synthesis of two novel pyrrole-imidazole polyamides with N-terminal guanidinium or tetramethylguanidinium groups and evaluate their antiviral activity against three cancer-causing human papillomavirus strains. Introduction of guanidinium improves antiviral activity when compared to an unsubstituted analog, especially in IC₉₀ values. These substitutions change DNA-binding preferences, while binding affinity remains unchanged.