Predictive preoperative clinical score for patients with liver-only oligometastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC) in the oligometastatic stage improves survival and is a potentially curative treatment. Thus, predictive scores that reliably identify those patients who especially benefit from surgery are essential. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this multicenter analysis, 512 patients had undergone surgery for liver metastases from CRC. We investigated distinct cancer-specific risk factors that are routinely available in clinical practice and developed a predictive preoperative score using a training cohort (TC), which was thereafter tested in a validation cohort (VC). RESULTS: Inflammatory response to the tumor, a right-sided primary tumor, multiple liver metastases, and node-positive primary tumor were significant adverse variables for overall survival (OS). Patients were stratified in five groups according to the cumulative score given by the presence of these risk factors. Median OS for patients without risk factors was 133.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 81.2-not reached (nr)] in the TC and was not reached in the VC. OS decreased significantly for each subsequent group with increasing number of risk factors. Median OS was significantly shorter (P < 0.0001) for patients presenting all four risk factors: 14.3 months (95% CI 10.5 months-nr) in the TC and 16.6 months (95% CI 14.6 months-nr) in the VC. CONCLUSIONS: Including easily obtainable variables, this preoperative score identifies oligometastatic CRC patients with prolonged survival rates that may be cured, and harbors potential to be implemented in daily clinical practice.

Adaptation capacity of Boer goats to saline drinking water.

Due to global climatic changes, water and soil salinization is an increasing worldwide phenomenon, thus creating new threats for farm animal production. The present study was designed to investigate the adaptation capacity of goats towards sodium chloride (NaCl) in drinking water. Twelve non-pregnant Boer goats with an average body weight of 50.5 ± 9.0 kg were kept in individual pens. The study was conducted in four phases applying a two-choice preference test. In the control phase (phase 1) only fresh water was supplied in two containers. In phase 2, water with different salt concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25% and 1.5%) was offered in one container and tap water in the other (sensitivity test). During the third phase (adaptation), goats were stepwise habituated to saline water by offering only saline water with different increasing concentrations (between 0% and 1.5% NaCl) in both containers. Subsequently, in phase 4 (sensitivity re-test) the same treatment as in phase 2 was repeated. Goats had ad libitum access to hay, water and a mineral licking block. Individual water and feed intake were recorded daily, while body weight and body condition score were measured every 2nd week. Body weight was not affected by saline water intake, whereas dry matter intake and body condition scores decreased significantly during the experiment. Water intake was significantly (P<0.001) higher in phase 2 (sensitivity test) and phase 3 (adaptation), compared to phase 1 (control) and phase 4 (sensitivity re-test). Total sodium intake followed the same pattern. In phase 2, when goats had the choice between fresh and saline water for the first time they preferred higher salt concentrations and consumed significantly (P<0.001) higher amounts of saline water (75.4 ± 53.2 g/kg BW0.82 per day) than in the re-test (40.4 ± 34.0 g/kg BW0.82 per day) after the habituation period. Thus, salt discrimination rejection thresholds were lowered to 1.25% in phase 4 compared to 1.5% in phase 2. The results suggest that a stepwise adaptation to saline drinking water in goats is an effective method to habituate the animals to saline water intake when concentrations were below 1.5%. Goats reacted more sensitively to the salinity of drinking water after prolonged exposure to saline water indicating flexible regulation mechanisms depending on the total sodium balance of the animal.

Reactions to saline drinking water in Boer goats in a free-choice system.

Salinization of groundwater and soil is a prevalent global issue with serious consequences on animal health and production. The present study was conducted to investigate the capacity of Boer goats to adjust their salt intake from saline drinking water in a free-choice system. In total, 12 non-pregnant Boer goats aged between 1 and 8 years with an average BW of 46.4±8.3 kg were kept in individual pens for 4 weeks. In the control phase (1 week), only fresh water was supplied in five identical buckets for each pen. During the subsequent treatment phase (3 weeks), fresh water and four different concentrations (0.75, 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5% NaCl) of saline water were offered simultaneously in a free-choice system. The positions of the concentrations were changed daily at random. Cut hay and water were provided ad libitum, and a mineral supplement was allocated. Feed and water intake, mineral supplement intake, ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded daily, whereas BW and body condition score were measured weekly. Dry matter intake, total water intake and total sodium intake were significantly (P<0.001) higher during the treatment phase. Body weight and body condition were not affected by saline water intake. Across the treatment phase, saline water consumption was significantly (P<0.001) lower in young (19.6±27.1 g/kg BW0.82 per day) than in adult goats (27.9±31.5 g/kg BW0.82 per day), indicating that young goats were more sensitive towards the saline water. All goats had a significant preference for fresh water (0% salt) over saline water. At the first offering of the simultaneous choice situation (week 2), animals did not differentiate between the salt concentration of 0.75% and 1.0%. However, with successive treatment (weeks 3 and 4), animals distinguished between saline water concentrations and preferred the 0.75% salt concentration. Salt concentrations of 1% to 1.5% were avoided. The total sodium intake of the goats ranged between 0.37 and 0.55 g /kg BW0.75 per day during the treatment phase, being 8- to 11-fold higher than the daily requirements of sodium for body maintenance. The results suggest that goats are able to differentiate between saline water concentrations and to adjust their sodium intake by quick adjustments in self-selection in a free-choice system. Compared with two-choice preference tests, the present free-choice situation allows evaluating changes in saline water acceptance with prolonged exposure.

[Treatment strategy for early stage rectal cancer (T1 carcinoma)]. / Therapeutische Strategie bei Frühkarzinomen im Rektum (T1­Karzinom).

BACKROUND: A common consensus for the definition for early rectal cancer does not exist. This item is used in cases of histological findings including pTis, pT1 or pT2 tumors. The term early rectal cancer is not mentioned in the German S3 guidelines on colorectal cancer. The pTis tumors are located at the mucosa level of the intestinal wall and they have nearly no tendency to develop metastases but pT2 tumors have a high risk of local metastases; therefore, the term early rectal cancer is not adequate for pT2 tumors. OBJECTIVE: This focus of this article is exclusively on pT1 rectal cancer. Following the histological definition, pT1 tumors of the rectum are located at the level of the mucosa and submucosa of the intestinal wall. CONCLUSION: With respect to the nature of the tumor (e.g. size, grading, invasion of lymphatic and/or blood vessels, Kikuchi classification) local methods (endoscopic procedure, surgical techniques) or radical resections are recommended. Tumor budding is of increasing interest and importance. Depending on the severity of the tumor budding classification (bd1-bd3) there is an association with a more frequent occurrence of lymph node metastases and should therefore be taken into consideration in treatment decisions in the future.

Long-term adaptation capacity of ponies: effect of season and feed restriction on blood and physiological parameters.

Domesticated horses are increasingly kept under semi-natural housing conditions, whereas their adaptation capacity is not fully investigated. In all, 10 Shetland pony mares were held under semi-extensive conditions for 1 year. In winter animals were allocated into two feeding groups (60% and 100% of maintenance energy requirement, respectively). Triiodothyronine, thyroxine, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total bilirubin, total protein, triglyceride, glucose, insulin and hair length were measured at monthly intervals, whereas BW, body condition score, cresty neck score and resting heart rate were recorded every 2 weeks. From summer to winter all Ponies showed a reduction in resting heart rate (P0.05). Refeeding of restrictively fed ponies resulted in a rapid increase in resting heart rate and BW and a return of blood parameters to reference values. Adequately supplied animals adapted without difficulty to varying environmental conditions, whereas feed restriction in ponies during winter resulted in reduced resting heart rates suggesting a reduced basal metabolic rate. The energy restriction was compensated by mobilizing body fat reserves which led to changes in blood parameters. Refeeding in feed restricted animals revealed a remarkably quick recovery of physiological and blood parameters to reference values. We therefore suggest that year round-outdoor housing can be a suitable housing system for robust horse breeds provided that an adequate food supply is available.

Comparative selective retention of particle size classes in the gastrointestinal tract of ponies and goats.

There is a discrepancy in the literature on potential digesta separation mechanisms in horses, with both a selective retention of fine and of large particles postulated in different publications. To assess the net effect of such mechanisms, we fed ponies on a hay-only diet a pulse dose of whole (unchopped) marked hay together with a solute marker, collected faeces on a regular basis, measured marker concentrations in whole faeces and in their large (2.0-16 mm), medium (0.5-1.0 mm) and small (0.063-0.25 mm) particle fraction, and calculated the corresponding mean retention times (MRTs). For comparison, the same experiment was performed in goats. In goats, as expected, MRTsolute (35 hr) was significantly shorter than MRTparticle (51 hr); only a very small fraction of particle marker was excreted as large particles (2%); and the MRT of these large particles was significantly shorter than that of small particles (with a relevant difference of 8.6 hr), indicating that those few large particles that escape the rumen do so mostly soon after ingestion. In ponies, MRTsolute (24 hr) did not differ from MRTparticle (24 hr); a higher fraction of particle marker was excreted as large particles (5%); and the MRT of these large particles was longer than that of small particles (but with a non-relevant difference of less than 1 hr). These results indicate that no relevant net separation of digesta phases occurs in horses and that selective particle retention mechanisms in the large intestine are unlikely to represent important characteristics of the horse's digestive physiology.

Survival benefit of pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy in high-grade endometrial carcinoma: a retrospective population-based cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The standard therapy for high-grade endometrial cancer is surgery but the therapeutic effects of pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection (LND) are poorly investigated. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated overall survival, recurrence rates and recurrence-free survival among patients with high-grade type I and II endometrial carcinoma who underwent LND. METHODS: This study included 284 patients who are recorded in the German Tumor Centre Regensburg form 1998 to 2015 and were selected by cancer grading, the absence of secondary tumors, primary surgery including hysterectomy and available follow-up. 244 of the 284 patients in this cohort were unequivocally classified as R0 after resection. RESULTS: A significantly increased overall survival was observed for systematic LND of 25 or more paraaortic and pelvic lymph nodes versus patients who did not undergo such intervention (p < 0.001) or had elective LND of 1-24 lymph nodes both in univariable (p = 0.016) and multivariable (p = 0.014) analysis. A similar observation was made for recurrence-free survival of patients in the cohort who underwent complete tumor resection (R0). In addition, a reduced cumulative recurrence rate was observed for patients with systematic LND. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that the systematic removal of 25 or more pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes reduces the recurrence rate and that it is beneficial for the long-term overall and recurrence-free survival of patients with high-grade endometrial cancer.

Effects of morcellation on long-term outcomes in patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical long-term outcomes of women with uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) with different types of hysterectomy (open abdominal, vaginal, laparoscopic and switch from laparoscopic to open abdominal) were compared according to morcellation and other factors. MATERIALS: The clinical cancer registry Regensburg (Germany) registered 64 patients between 2004 and 2013 with ULMS. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate 5-year overall survival (OAS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and recurrence rates. To compare surgery with or without morcellation log rank test was used. To adjust for age, FIGO stage, grading and other factors multivariable Cox regression models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HR). RESULTS: In the cohort of 64 patients 15 underwent morcellation, preferably during laparoscopic surgery. Although numbers were small we performed analysis for OAS and RFS. Median OAS for morcellation was 10.6 vs. 6.4 years for non morcellation. 5y-OAS was 76.0 % for morcellation compared to 54.8 % in patients without morcellation (p = 0.115). Cox regression models rendered an unadjusted (univariable) HR 0.428 for morcellation vs. non-morcellation (p = 0.125) and an adjusted (multivariable) HR 0.644 (p = 0.406). 5y-RFR was 64.0 % compared to 42.8 % in patients without morcellation (p = 0.104; unadjusted HR 0.484, p = 0.111; adjusted HR 0.607, p = 0.306). CONCLUSION: In general, the prognosis of patients with ULMS is poor. In our cohort, women who underwent hysterectomy with morcellation had a better cumulative OAS and RFS than women without morcellation. Although we adjusted for differences between women with and without morcellation regarding age, grading and stage, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups.

Seasonal changes of total body water and water intake in Shetland ponies measured by an isotope dilution technique.

Water is an essential nutrient necessary to support life, and adequate water supply is crucial for animal survival and productivity. The present study was designed to determine seasonal changes in the water metabolism of horses under outdoor conditions. Total body water (TBW) and total water intake (TWI) of 10 adult Shetland pony mares were estimated at monthly intervals for 14 mo by using the deuterium dilution technique. During the last 4 mo, 5 ponies were fed restrictively to simulate natural feed shortage in winter, and 5 ponies served as controls. The TBW (kg) was closely related to body mass [TBW (kg) = -2.86 + 0.67 × body mass (kg); P < 0.001; n = 105] explaining 86% of the variation. In contrast to TBW (kg), TBW (%) remained relatively stable across all measurements (57.8 to 71.2%). The TWI showed an increase in summer and a decrease in winter [TWI (mL·kg(-1)·d(-1)) = 15.07 + 23.69 × month - 1.45 × month(2) (R(2) = 0.64, P < 0.01)]. However, TWI measured at ambient temperatures (Ta) < 0°C did not follow the same trend as TWI at Ta > 0°C. Therefore, removing TWI values measured at Ta < 0°C from the analysis resulted in high correlations with locomotor activity (r = 0.87), Ta (r = 0.86), and resting heart rate (r = 0.88). The multiple regression among TWI, Ta, and heart rate explained 84% of the variation in TWI [TWI (mL·kg(-1)·d(-1)) = -13.38 + 1.77 × heart rate (beats/min) + 2.11 × Ta (°C); P < 0.001]. Feed restriction had no effect on TWI and TBW. The TBW content was unaffected by season and physical activity. The established regression equation for TBW and body mass can be used to predict TBW from body mass in ponies under field conditions. The comparison of TWI with published data on drinking water intake revealed that ponies had 1.7 to 5.1 times greater total water intakes when other sources of water such as feed and metabolic water were included. The TWI was highly influenced by environmental conditions and metabolic rate. Contrary to expectation, water supply during the cold seasons might be more critical than under summer conditions when water content of grass is high to allow for the compensation of limited availability of drinking water.

Effects of a higher incubation temperature between embryonic day 9 and 12 on growth and meat quality characteristics of turkeys.

1. The study investigated the influence of manipulating incubation temperature for a short period on the post-hatch development up to week 16 in male and female BUT Big 6 turkeys. 2. Eggs were incubated at a control temperature of 37·5°C and 55% RH until d 18 when transferred to a hatcher at 37·5°C and 85% RH. For a 4 d period between embryonic day 9 (ED 9) and 12, eggs were incubated at 38·5°C and 55% RH (HT). 3. Birds were slaughtered at 16 weeks of age to analyse meat quality parameters of the Musculus pectoralis superficialis (MPS). 4. Across both incubation treatments, the turkey males had significantly higher live and breast weights, but lower breast yields than the females. The sex of the animals only influenced the yellowness of the MPS with lower values in the males. 5. Temperature manipulation resulted in significantly decreased live weights of HT birds compared with the control animals across all ages in both sexes. No impact of incubation treatment on meat quality characteristics was found. 6. The results indicate a negative effect of higher incubation temperature on the post-hatch growth, possibly by influencing the mechanisms that regulate the hypertrophic growth of the muscle fibres.

Short communication: milk output in llamas (Lama glama) in relation to energy intake and water turnover measured by an isotope dilution technique.

Despite the fact that llamas have become increasingly popular as companion and farm animals in both Europe and North America, scientific knowledge on their nutrient requirements is scarce. Compared with other livestock species, relatively little is known especially about the nutrient and energy requirements for lactating llamas. Therefore, we aimed to measure milk output in llama dams using an isotope dilution technique and relate it to energy intakes at different stages of lactation. We also validated the dilution technique by measuring total water turnover (TWT) directly and comparing it with values estimated by the isotope dilution technique. Our study involved 5 lactating llama dams and their suckling young. Milk output and TWT were measured at 4 stages of lactation (wk 3, 10, 18, and 26 postpartum). The method involved the application of the stable hydrogen isotope deuterium ((2)H) to the lactating dam. Drinking water intake and TWT decreased significantly with lactation stage, whether estimated by the isotope dilution technique or calculated from drinking water and water ingested from feeds. In contrast, lactation stage had no effect on dry matter intake, metabolizable energy (ME) intake, or the milk water fraction (i.e., the ratio between milk water excreted and TWT). The ratios between TWT measured and TWT estimated (by isotope dilution) did not differ with lactation stage and were close to 100% in all measurement weeks, indicating that the D(2)O dilution technique estimated TWT with high accuracy and only small variations. Calculating the required ME intakes for lactation from milk output data and gross energy content of milk revealed that, with increasing lactation stage, ME requirements per day for lactation decreased but remained constant per kilogram of milk output. Total measured ME intakes at different stages of lactation were similar to calculated ME intakes from published recommendation models for llamas.

Effect of water restriction on drinking behaviour and water intake in German black-head mutton sheep and Boer goats.

The present study was conducted to evaluate and compare the physiological responses of sheep and goats to water restriction using the deuterium dilution technique (D2O) to predict the total water intake (TWI) in both species. In two consecutive trials, 10 non-lactating Boer goats and 10 non-lactating German black-head mutton ewes were each randomly allocated into a treatment and a control group. In the control groups (n = 5, for each species), water was offered ad libitum, whereas the treatment groups (n = 5, for each species) received water 3 h/day on experimental days 8 to 14 and 6 h every 2 days on experimental days 15 to 22. The respiratory rate, rectal temperature, body mass and drinking behaviour were also recorded. The TWI was estimated by D2O for each animal. Water restriction for 21 h/day or 42 h/2 days had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on water intake (WI), feed intake, WI to dry matter intake ratio or body mass in both species. The absence of differences between species in their WIs was also confirmed using D2O. However, sheep had higher respiratory rates and rectal temperatures than goats in both control and treatment groups. Both species showed the ability to tolerate a moderate water shortage by activating several physiological mechanisms and behavioural strategies.

Effect of shearing on water turnover and thermobiological variables in German Blackhead mutton sheep.

Current equations for estimating water requirements in sheep do not differentiate between shorn and unshorn sheep. Furthermore, the effect of shearing on thermoregulative responses in sheep has not been adequately studied under temperate environmental conditions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of wool coverage on water turnover in relation to thermoregulation in sheep by using the deuterium dilution technique to predict total water intake before and after shearing. Physiological responses, such as water turnover, surface temperature, and rectal temperature, as well as drinking behavior of sheep were also evaluated. Fourteen nonlactating German Blackhead mutton ewes were randomly allocated into 2 groups: a control group (n = 7) that was already shorn, and a treatment group (n = 7) that was left unshorn (wool length: 10.6 ± 1.2 cm). Individual feed and water intakes were recorded throughout the experiment (d 1 to 71). Two weeks after measurements commenced (d 15), treatment sheep were shorn. Water intake was estimated twice for 2 consecutive weeks by using deuterium dilution techniques (d 1 to 15 and d 57 to 71). Ambient temperature (T(a)), relative humidity, and respiratory rate were measured daily, whereas BW, rectal and animal surface temperatures (using infrared thermography), and wool length were measured weekly. In the first 2 wk, when treatment sheep were unshorn, treatment and control ewes differed (P < 0.05) in DMI (52 ± 4 vs. 59 ± 4 g·kg(-0.75)·d(-1)), water intake (165 ± 17 vs. 134 ± 18 g·kg(-0.75)·d(-1)), respiratory rate (66 ± 5 vs. 31 ± 4 breath/min), rectal temperature (39.3 ± 0.2 vs. 38.8 ± 0.1°C), and surface temperatures (body side: 19.3 ± 0.3 vs. 24.5 ± 0.6°C; leg: 25.8 ± 2.4 vs. 27.4 ± 1.6°C). However, after shearing, these differences partly disappeared. The same trend in water intake between groups was confirmed using the isotope dilution technique. We found a significant relationship between T(a) and water intake, respiratory rate, and body surface temperatures. Even under temperate conditions (T(a) < 28°C), shearing significantly reduced core body temperature, water intake, and respiratory rate in German Blackhead mutton sheep, thus indicating heat stress in fleeced animals, which should be considered when determining the optimal shearing time in sheep as well as when estimating water requirements.

[Social gradient of PSA screening? 8 years follow up from the cancer registry of the tumor center in Regensburg]. / Mittelstandsorientierung des PSA-Screenings? : 8-Jahres-Nachsorgedaten des Tumorregisters Regensburg.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most frequent male cancer. In Germany most tumors are detected by PSA testing. Data on the long-term survival of patients with localized early prostate carcinoma are insufficient. We examined the relative survival of the patients with organ-defined prostate cancer (TNM T1-2N0M0, UICC I-II) compared to the standardized age-adjusted rates of the normal male population. METHODS: Epidemiological and clinical data from 4,124 patients with prostate cancer diagnosed from 1998 to 2007 were extracted from the cancer registry of the tumor center in Regensburg; 2,087 patients suffered from localized early cancer. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the overall survival rates in the patient cohorts irrespective of primary cancer therapy. These rates were adjusted for the expected survival rates in a comparable set of individuals from the general population. RESULTS: Eight years after diagnosis, patients with stage I and II localized prostate cancer had an approximately 10% relative increase in survival compared with the normal male population. This relative increase in survival was already observed 3 years after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Patients with stage I-II localized prostate cancer have improved survival compared with the normal male population. This finding cannot be explained solely by the administration of prostate cancer treatments, which do not affect survival until 8-10 years after treatment, suggesting that men who participate in PSA testing may have a better overall health status. Another hypothesis may be a social gradient of PSA testing in Germany.

Intermediate high index layer for laser mode tuning in organic semiconductor lasers.

We modified the optical properties of organic semiconductor distributed feedback lasers by introducing a high refractive index layer consisting of tantalum pentoxide between the substrate and the active material layer. A thin film of tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminium doped with the laser dye 4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-(p-dimethylamino-styryl)-4H-pyran was used as the active layer. By varying the intermediate layer thickness we could change the effective refractive index of the guided laser mode and thus the laser wavelength. With this technique we were able to tune the laser emission range between 613 nm and 667 nm. For high index layer thicknesses higher than 40 nm the laser operated on the TE(1)-mode rather than the fundamental TE(0)-mode.

Relationships between integumental characteristics and thermoregulation in South American camelids.

Hair fibre is regarded as a unique mammalian feature with an important role for endothermy. Artificial selection for hair characteristics resulted in marked changes with regard to follicle number, type, distribution, growth and natural shedding. This review focuses on the fine fibre-producing South American camelids (SACs) and the relationship between their hair coat and thermoregulation. SACs have developed several special integumental characteristics. While the hair coat of the wild lamoids vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) and guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is formed by two types of hair (the coarse outer guard hairs and a finer undercoat), the domesticated llamas (Lama glama) and alpaca (Lama pacos) exhibit variably double coat and predominantly single coat, respectively. The distribution of the hair coat across the body is not homogenous. Thermal windows with shorter hair or thinner skin can be identified at the ventral abdomen, axillary space and inside of the thighs (about 20% of the skin), thus allowing to modulate heat dissipation. In contrast to sheep wool, lamoid fibres are mainly medullated. The thermal conductance of summer pelage was higher than that of the winter fleece and highest for the axillar and lower flanks. Lamoids have developed behavioural strategies to modify heat loss by adopting specific postures according to ambient conditions by closing or opening the thermal windows. Energy savings of 67% attributed to posture were calculated. SACs have shown to be able to adapt to a broad range of different climatic conditions. The specific integumental characteristics of SACs indicate that they have developed adaptation mechanisms particularly suited for cooler climates. Accordingly, hyperthermia might become a problem in hot, humid areas outside of their original habitat. Several studies showed the beneficial effect of shearing against heat stress. In particular, fertility in males exposed to heat stress may be improved by shearing. Infrared thermography reveals that in shorn animals the heat is radiated across the entire body surface and is not restricted to the thermal windows. However, shearing also changes the conditions of the protective layer, resulting in a loss of thermal conductance that may result in adverse effects when animals are kept under cold temperatures. The length of residual fibre appears to be crucial in avoiding excessive heat loss in a cold environment, as demonstrated by shearing experiments with different shearing machines. There is, therefore, potential for welfare considerations to conflict with industrial demands for fibre length or homogenous quality.

Deuterium oxide dilution accurately predicts water intake in sheep and goats.

The aim of this study was to test whether the deuterium oxide dilution technique accurately predicts water intake in sheep and goats. Two other issues were also studied: (i) a comparison of water intake in sheep and goats and (ii) an assessment of whether observations of drinking behaviour can accurately measure the water intake. In this study, eight dry Boer goats and eight dry German Black Head Mutton ewes were kept under controlled stable conditions. Animals had access to hay and water ad libitum. Diurnal drinking behaviour was recorded by video. Individual daily water intake was measured and estimated for 2 weeks by re-weighing water buckets and from water kinetics using the deuterium oxide dilution technique, respectively. In addition, dry matter intakes were directly measured and were significantly higher in sheep than in goats. The average daily water consumption by drinking differed significantly between the two species, with higher intakes in sheep than in goats. Total body water expressed as a percentage of body mass did not differ between species. Measurement methods of total water intake (TWI) using deuterium oxide dilution and re-weighing water buckets did not differ significantly in both species (P = 0.926). Results obtained for measured and estimated TWI confirm that the isotope dilution technique gives reliable results for estimates of water intake in sheep and goats. The higher amount of water intake in sheep was also reflected by their drinking behaviour. Sheep spent approximately 0.3% per 24-h drinking, while Boer goats spent only 0.1%. However, measured and estimated TWIs were only moderately correlated to the daily time spent drinking. The lower water intake found in Boer goats confirms a superior water management capacity compared with Black Head Mutton sheep even under temperate conditions.

Deuterium for estimating total body water and turnover rates in turkeys exposed to different incubation treatments.

Total water intake (TWI) in poultry can be influenced by various factors. Recommendations for water requirements are usually reported on a flock basis without considering individual variation. In the present study, a total of 18 turkeys were used to measure water intake over a 1-wk period starting at 15 wk of age by applying the deuterium dilution technique. Poults originated from eggs exposed to different incubation treatments, with eggs incubated at normal temperature (37.5 degrees C) and eggs subjected to 38.5 degrees C at embryonic d 9 to 12. Experimental birds were kept in flocks of 22 to 30 birds separated by sex and treatment. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Incubation treatment had no significant effect on any of the parameters investigated (BW, daily gain, water turnover rate, total body water, TWI), whereas sex exerted a significant effect on nearly all traits. Total body water ranged between 60 and 65% of BW, with significantly (P < 0.05) greater values for toms (63.2%) than for hens (60.9%). Males had approximately 30% greater water influxes than females (1,054 +/- 198 vs. 742 +/- 153 mL/d, mean +/- SD). However, the significant influence of sex was eliminated (P = 0.464) when TWI was expressed as grams per kilogram of BW (76 +/- 18 vs. 70 +/- 12 mL/kg of BW; males vs. females). Water consumed averaged 837 mL in male and 569 mL per day in female birds. The present results suggest that the isotope dilution method offers a viable method to measure individual water intake, which can be used for establishing reference values for water consumption in group-housed turkeys.

Is there evidence for a multidisciplinary follow-up after urological cancer? An evaluation of subsequent cancers.

INTRODUCTION: Follow-up after cancer treatment has been focussing on the detection of local recurrence or metastatic disease of the primary cancer. Subsequent independent malignancies arising during follow-up have not been considered as relevant. Our study evaluated the risk of independent cancers following the diagnosis of primary urological cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1990 to 1998 data from 4,119 patients with a minimum follow-up of 5 years were collected. A total of 1,835 patients had primary prostate cancer, 1,269 and 1,015 patients had primary bladder and renal cell cancer, respectively. The most common subsequent malignancies in males were prostate cancer followed by lung and colon cancer. Breast and colon cancer were the most frequently detected subsequent cancers in females. The age correlated comparison of diagnosed and expected cancer in men with primary prostate cancer revealed an increase in relative risk for bladder, kidney and rectal cancer of 3.75, 2.03 and 1.32-fold, respectively. In men with primary bladder cancer the relation for prostate, kidney and lung cancer was 4.05, 2.51 and 2.13-fold, respectively; for females the relation for kidney cancer was 4.55-fold. In men with primary kidney cancer subsequent rectal, prostate and bladder cancer showed a 4.38, 2.91 and 2.48-fold increase, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data suggest an increase in relative risk for subsequent urologic and non-urologic cancer during follow-up. Clinicians involved in oncological follow-up need to be aware of this finding. To which degree a follow-up scheme, not solely focussing on the primary urological malignancy could improve survival needs to be evaluated in further studies.

Measurements of the bodyweight and other physical characteristics of 11 llamas (Lama glama) from birth to weaning.

The bodyweight (bw), thoracic circumference, length and height of 11 llamas were recorded weekly from birth for 27 weeks. Their mean (sd) birth weight was 11.60 (2.35) kg and their weight increased in curvilinear fashion reaching 61.05 (13.75) kg after 27 weeks. Their average daily gains reached the highest value three weeks after birth and then decreased, reaching the lowest value of 262 g per day at 27 weeks. On a metabolic bw(0.83) basis, the growth of the llamas when their dams were at peak lactation was comparable with that of calves, fawns and lambs. All the measurements were significantly affected by the age, but not by the sex of the young or the parity of the dam. The regression models chosen to predict the bodyweight and weight gain of the llamas yielded R(2) ranging from 0.97 to 0.99. Correlations between bodyweight and other single body measurements were between r=0.68 and 0.77. Single or combined body measurements were good predictors of bodyweight, but additional body measurements added little to the already good fit provided by a single measurement (R(2) ranging from 0.93 to 0.98). The thoracic circumference (R(2)=0.98) and length (R(2)=0.96) were good predictors of the bodyweight of the llamas between birth and 27 weeks old.