Outcome without any adjuvant systemic treatment in stage I ER+/HER2- breast cancer patients included in the MINDACT trial.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant systemic treatments (AST) reduce mortality, but have associated short- and long-term toxicities. Careful selection of patients likely to benefit from AST is needed. We evaluated outcome of low-risk breast cancer patients of the EORTC 10041/BIG 3-04 MINDACT trial who received no AST. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative, lymph node-negative tumors ≤2 cm who received no AST were matched 1 : 1 to patients with similar tumor characteristics treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET), using propensity score matching and exact matching on age, genomic risk (70-gene signature) and grade. In a post hoc analysis, distant metastasis-free interval (DMFI) and overall survival (OS) were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and hazard ratios (HR) by Cox regression. Cumulative incidences of locoregional recurrence (LRR) and contralateral breast cancer (CBC) were assessed with competing risk analyses. RESULTS: At 8 years, DMFI rates were 94.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 92.7% to 96.9%] in 509 patients receiving no AST, and 97.3% (95% CI 95.8% to 98.8%) in 509 matched patients who received only ET [absolute difference: 2.5%, HR 0.56 (95% CI 0.30-1.03)]. No statistically significant difference was seen in 8-year OS rates, 95.4% (95% CI 93.5% to 97.4%) in patients receiving no AST and 95.6% (95% CI 93.8% to 97.5%) in patients receiving only ET [absolute difference: 0.2%, HR 0.86 (95% CI 0.53-1.41)]. Cumulative incidence rates of LRR and CBC were 4.7% (95% CI 3.0% to 7.0%) and 4.6% (95% CI 2.9% to 6.9%) in patients receiving no AST versus 1.4% (95% CI 0.6% to 2.9%) and 1.5% (95% CI 0.6% to 3.1%) in patients receiving only ET. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with stage I low-risk breast cancer, the effect of ET on DMFI was limited, but overall significantly fewer breast cancer events were observed in patients who received ET, after the relatively short follow-up of 8 years. These benefits and side-effects of ET should be discussed with all patients, even those at a very low risk of distant metastasis.

Combining method of detection and 70-gene signature for enhanced prognostication of breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Studies have shown that screen detection by national screening programs is independently associated with better prognosis of breast cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between tumor biology according to the 70-gene signature (70-GS) and survival of patients with screen-detected and interval breast cancers. METHODS: All Dutch breast cancer patients enrolled in the MINDACT trial (EORTC-10041/BIG3-04) accrued 2007-2011, who participated in the national screening program (biennial screening, ages 50-75) were included (n = 1102). Distant Metastasis-Free Interval (DMFI) was evaluated according to the 70-GS for patients with screen-detected (n = 754) and interval cancers (n = 348). RESULTS: Patients with screen-detected cancers had 8-year DMFI rates of 98.2% for 70-GS ultralow-, 94.6% for low-, and 93.8% for high-risk tumors (p = 0.4). For interval cancers, there was a significantly lower 8-year DMFI rate for patients with 70-GS high-risk tumors (85.2%) compared to low- (92.2%) and ultralow-risk tumors (97.4%, p = 0.0023). Among patients with 70-GS high-risk tumors, a significant difference in 8-year DMFI rate was observed between interval (85.2%, n = 166) versus screen-detected cancers (93.8%, n = 238; p = 0.002) with a HR of 2.3 (95%CI 1.2-4.4, p = 0.010) adjusted for clinical-pathological characteristics and adjuvant systemic treatment. CONCLUSION: Among patients with 70-GS high-risk tumors, a significant difference in DMFI was observed between screen-detected and interval cancers, suggesting that method of detection is an additional prognostic factor in this subgroup and should be taken into account when deciding on adjuvant treatment strategies.

The French Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): Perception and language results in infants with cochlear implantation under the age of 24 months.

OBJECTIVE: Multi-centre study of the National French Registry (EPIIC) of patients with cochlear implants, focusing on infants who were operated-on under the age of 24 months between 2012 and 2016. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 615 profoundly deaf infants, who received cochlear implants (CIs) before their second birthday, were included in the registry by different CI centers. Epidemiological, surgical, speech therapy and school, follow-up data were included in the registry, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months thereafter. The following parameters were studied: type of implantation (uni- or bilateral), complications, cause of deafness, category of auditory perception (CAP), Open-set word recognition score (OSW), speech intelligibility rating, lexical comprehension with EVIP (Peabody), communication mode and type of schooling. Bilateral simultaneous CI (BiCI) and unilateral CI (UniCI) groups were compared. RESULTS: There were 744 implantations. The explantation-reimplantation rate, within the four-year follow-up, was just 3.6%. Mean implantation age was 16.0 months, and similar in the two groups (BiCI/UniCI). A total of 51% of children had their first implant between 12 and 18 months, and 15% before 12 months. Implantation was unilateral in 52% of cases. Fifty-six percent of the bilateral procedures were sequential, with a mean delay of 16.8 months for the second implantation. The cause of deafness was unknown in 52% of cases. Of the 48% (297/615) of attributed cases, 32% had clear genetic causes. The remaining deafness was due to cytomegalovirus (CMV, 8%), inner-ear malformation (5%) and meningitis (3%). The main complications were from infections (47%) and internal device failure (25%). Four years post-operation, 84% of the UniCI and 75% of BiCl groups had a CAP≥5, and 83% of UniCl and 100% BiCI had OSW≥80%. Furthermore 74% of UniCI and 77% of BiCI communicated orally and 85% of UniCI and 90% of BiCI integrated into mainstream schooling. CONCLUSION: The French Registry of cochlear implants (EPIIC) is the only such national registry in the world. Our analysis illustrates the immediate benefits of, either single or double, cochlear implantation for language, perception skills and schooling.

The French Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): General indicators.

Cochlear and brainstem implants have been included on the list of reimbursable products (LPPR) in France since March of 2009. The implants were initially inscribed for 5 years, after which an application for renewal with the French National Commission for the Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (Commission Nationale d'évaluation des dispositifs médicaux et des technologies de santé - CNEDiMTS) was required [Haute Autorité de santé, 2009]. Upon registration to the list of reimbursable products, the companies and the reference centers for cochlear and brainstem implants were asked to set up a post-registration registry called EPIIC. This article reports the evolution in the EPIIC registry of the general indicators for 5051 patients over the five years from 2012-2016.

The French National Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): Results, quality of life, questionnaires, academic and professional life.

This study concerns the results of cochlear implantation in children and adults from French cochlear implantation centers, monitored at one, two and three years by the Cochlear Implant French Registry EPIIC. This multicenter study enrolled 2603 subjects (1667 adults and 936 children) implanted in one ear. The following parameters were studied: hearing overall performances, monosyllabic or dissyllabic word perception, speech intelligibility, self-assessment questionnaire of Cochlear Implant (CI) benefits (Abbreviated profile of Hearing aid Benefit); professional activity and schooling. This study confirms the ceiling effect in adults' performances after the 1st year and the progressive growth in children's performances. It also shows that the contralateral hearing aid enhances performances compared to the CI alone condition, in all follow-up sessions. The French register of CIs is the only worldwide register of systematic follow-up on a period of three years and more of all adults and children implanted in a country.

Genetic architecture and genomic selection of female reproduction traits in rainbow trout.

BACKGROUND: Rainbow trout is a significant fish farming species under temperate climates. Female reproduction traits play an important role in the economy of breeding companies with the sale of fertilized eggs. The objectives of this study are threefold: to estimate the genetic parameters of female reproduction traits, to determine the genetic architecture of these traits by the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL), and to assess the expected efficiency of a pedigree-based selection (BLUP) or genomic selection for these traits. RESULTS: A pedigreed population of 1343 trout were genotyped for 57,000 SNP markers and phenotyped for seven traits at 2 years of age: spawning date, female body weight before and after spawning, the spawn weight and the egg number of the spawn, the egg average weight and average diameter. Genetic parameters were estimated in multi-trait linear animal models. Heritability estimates were moderate, varying from 0.27 to 0.44. The female body weight was not genetically correlated to any of the reproduction traits. Spawn weight showed strong and favourable genetic correlation with the number of eggs in the spawn and individual egg size traits, but the egg number was uncorrelated to the egg size traits. The genome-wide association studies showed that all traits were very polygenic since less than 10% of the genetic variance was explained by the cumulative effects of the QTLs: for any trait, only 2 to 4 QTLs were detected that explained in-between 1 and 3% of the genetic variance. Genomic selection based on a reference population of only one thousand individuals related to candidates would improve the efficiency of BLUP selection from 16 to 37% depending on traits. CONCLUSIONS: Our genetic parameter estimates made unlikely the hypothesis that selection for growth could induce any indirect improvement for female reproduction traits. It is thus important to consider direct selection for spawn weight for improving egg production traits in rainbow trout breeding programs. Due to the low proportion of genetic variance explained by the few QTLs detected for each reproduction traits, marker assisted selection cannot be effective. However genomic selection would allow significant gains of accuracy compared to pedigree-based selection.

The French National Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): Cochlear implantation in adults over 65years old.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the performance of cochlear implants in French patients aged 65 and over, implanted between 2012 and 2016, using data from the French national registry for cochlear implants (EPIIC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The French national registry incorporates patient data from before implantation and for three years after implantation, stratified in different age groups (18-39, 40-64years, 65-74years and>75years). Here, we assessed the latter two categories. Hearing was assessed using mono- and disyllabic words in a silent background. The Category of Auditory Performance (CAP) scale was also implemented and subjects took the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (Aphab) questionnaire. RESULTS: The population aged over 65 accounted for 38% (n=1193) of the 3178 adult implanted patients. The performance for mono- and disyllabic words in silence, the CAP scores and the APHAB questionnaire answers for ease of communication, background noise and reverberation were dramatically improved at one year post-implantation (P<0.0001 for each score) and remained stable between one and three years thereafter. The percentage improvement was similar across all age groups. The scores for loud-noise intolerance did not change after cochlear implantation in any age group. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implants improve hearing and communication in subjects aged 65 and over, with comparable efficiency to that achieved in younger subjects. Cochlear implantation should thus be proposed whenever hearing aids provide only limited benefit. However, between 2012 and 2016, cochlear implantation was given to less than 1% of the French population aged 65 and over with profound deafness.

The French National Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): Cochlear explantation and reimplantation.

This study aims to determine the frequency and causes of cochlear explants with re-implantation (ERI) after 5 years' follow up of the patients included in the French national EPIIC (étude post-inscription des implants cochléaires) registry tracking patients with cochlear implantation. This multicenter, descriptive prospective study was conducted on 5051 patients enrolled in the EPIIC database between January 2012 and December 2016. Ninety-five patients (1.9%) received a primary implant and an ERI during the study. Of these, four benefitted from two ERIs. The number of ERIs was significantly higher in the pediatric population than among adults. The explantation and reimplantation were performed simultaneously in 86% of cases. The reasons for explantation were: in 46.4% of cases linked to a malfunction of the implant, and in 39.3% of cases for medical or surgical reasons. The number of electrodes inserted was significantly higher after the ERI than after the first implantation. There was just one post-ERI infection for these 95 explanted and re-implanted patients. As well as explantation with reimplantation rarely being necessary, it generally presents no major surgical difficulty and in most cases it allows a better integration than in the first implantation.

The French Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): Cochlear implantation complications.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate peri- and post-operative complications related to cochlear implantations. We searched for risk factors predicting these complications and analyzed the complications in the youngest and most elderly. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of cochlear implant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent cochlear implantation in France between January 2012 and December 2016 were anonymized and registered in the EPIIC database. This population included 3483 adults and 2245 children. Their demographic and surgical data and their incidence of peri- or post-operative complications, including their severity, whether major or minor, were all indicated. RESULTS: The global complication rate was 6.84%. The risk of complication was higher in initial implantation versus reimplantation (P<0.0001). The risk was also higher for bilateral implantation versus unilateral (P<0.0001). Complications were more frequent for patients with cochlear malformation (P=0.002). There was no difference in complication rates across age groups; babies under 1 year old, and the elderly over 80 and even over 90, did not have more complications than the rest of the population. Patients treated in the daily care unit had no more complications than those who were hospitalized for one night or more (P=0.64). CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation is a safe technique with a low incidence of complications. The absence of increased risk in patients at the extremes of the age spectrum justifies offering this solution to all, without age limitation.

The French National Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): Bilateral cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the incidence and results of bilateral cochlear implantation in adults and children in France. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study of data in the French national registry of cochlear implantations from January 1st 2012 to December 31st 2016. Functional results from CAP (Category of Auditory Performance) questionnaires and speech audiometry tests, with mono- and di-syllabic word-lists, were compared before and after implantation. Speech audiometry tests were carried out against a noisy background, except before simultaneous implantations. RESULTS: Nine hundred and forty two bilateral cochlear implantations were performed during this period, that is, 16.4% of all cochlear implantations. Five hundred and eighty eight bilateral implantations were performed sequentially. 59% of the bilateral implantations were performed in children. Bilateral implants significantly improved CAP scores in all cases (P<0.001). Auditory performance, with the two types of word-list, were significantly improved after simultaneous implantation (P<0.01). After sequential implantation, the speech discrimination score, already very good with the first implant, reached 63±26% [0-100] with monosyllabic word lists, and 72±28% [0-100] with dissyllabic words. There were more complications due to surgery in bilateral cases than in the entire population of cochlear recipients (9.1% vs 6.4%, P<0.02). CONCLUSION: Hearing is significantly improved by simultaneous cochlear implantation. For sequential implantation, at one year, when auditory results were already excellent from the first implant, in the bimodal condition CAP scores were significantly improved, although there was no further change in speech audiometry in noise.

The French Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): Cochlear implant candidacy assessment of off-label indications.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate in France the outcomes of cochlear implantation outside the selection criteria, off-label. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study including adults and children having received a cochlear implant (CI) in an off-label indication, that is outside the criteria established by the "Haute Autorité de santé (HAS)" in 2012. The data was collected from the "EPIIC" registry on recipients who received CIs in France between 2011 and 2014. Speech audiometry was performed at 60dB preimplantation and after one year of CI use, as well as an evaluation of the scores of the quality of life with the APHAB questionnaire, the scores for CAP and the professional/academic status in pre- and post-implantation conditions. Major and minor complications at surgery have been recorded. RESULTS: In total, 590 patients (447 adults and 143 children) with an off-label indication for CIs were included in this study from the EPIIC registry (11.7% of the whole cohort of EPIIC). For adults, the median percentage of comprehension using monosyllabic word lists was 41% in preimplantation condition versus 53% after one year of CI use (P<0.001) and 60% versus 71% in dissyllabic word lists (P<0.001). The CAP scores were 5 versus 6 in pre- and post-implantation conditions respectively (P<0.001) and the APHAB scores were statistically lower after implantation (P<0.001). In the children cohort, the median percentage of comprehension using monosyllabic word lists was 51% in preimplantation condition and 65% after CI (P<0.001), and 48% versus 82% (P<0.001) for dissyllabic word lists. The CAP scores were 5 versus 7 respectively in pre- and post-CI conditions (P<0.001). Thirty-two minor complications (5.4%) and 17 major complications (2.8%) were reported in our panel of off-label indication patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a revision of the cochlear implantation candidacy criteria is necessary to allow more patients with severe or asymmetric hearing loss to benefit from a CI when there is an impact on quality of life despite the use of an optimal hearing aid.

Analysis and management of cochlear implant explantation in adults.

OBJECTIVES: Cochlear implants have a 10-year manufacturer's warranty and may remain functional for more than 25 years after implantation. With the increasing number of users, the number of explantations is set to increase in the future. The main objective of the present study was to determine reasons for cochlear explantation in adults and the proportion carried out during the warranty period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-centre retrospective multidisciplinary study of cochlear explantation in adults was performed over a 33-month period. Explantation reasons, interval since implantation and warranty application were analysed. RESULTS: 54% of the 71 explantations were for medical reasons, 45% due to failure (35% "hard failure", 10% "soft failure") and 1% could not be classified; 69% were followed by reimplantation. Failure was confirmed before explantation in 66% of cases. Manufacturer warranties were applicable in 70% of explantations for breakdown, for a total of €335,500. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis provides decision support for reimplantation and allows better patient information. Follow-up is essential to optimise warranty application and to promote the proper implant use.

Characterization of male breast cancer: results of the EORTC 10085/TBCRC/BIG/NABCG International Male Breast Cancer Program.

Background: Male breast cancer (BC) is rare, managed by extrapolation from female BC. The International Male BC Program aims to better characterize and manage this disease. We report the results of part I, a retrospective joint analysis of cases diagnosed during a 20-year period. Methods: Patients with follow-up and tumor samples, treated between 1990 and 2010, in 93 centers/9 countries. Samples were centrally analyzed in three laboratories (the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States). Results: Of 1822 patients enrolled, 1483 were analyzed; 63.5% were diagnosed between 2001 and 2010, 57 (5.1%) had metastatic disease (M1). Median age at diagnosis: 68.4 years. Of 1054 M0 cases, 56.2% were node-negative (N0) and 48.5% had T1 tumors; 4% had breast conserving surgery (BCS), 18% sentinel lymph-node biopsy; half received adjuvant radiotherapy; 29.8% (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy and 76.8% adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET), mostly tamoxifen (88.4%). Per central pathology, for M0 tumors: 84.8% ductal invasive carcinomas, 51.5% grade 2; 99.3% estrogen receptor (ER)-positive; 81.9% progesterone receptor (PR)-positive; 96.9% androgen receptor (AR)-positive [ER, PR or AR Allred score ≥3]; 61.1% Ki67 expression low (<14% positive cells); using immunohistochemistry (IHC) surrogates, 41.9% were Luminal-A-like, 48.6% Luminal-B-like/HER-2-negative, 8.7% HER-2-positive, 0.3% triple negative. Median follow-up: 8.2 years (0.0-23.8) for all, 7.2 years (0.0-23.2), for M0, 2.6 years (0.0-12.7) for M1 patients. A significant improvement over time was observed in age-corrected BC mortality. BC-specific-mortality was higher for men younger than 50 years. Better overall (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were observed for highly ER+ (P = 0.001), highly PR+ (P = 0.002), highly AR+ disease (P = 0.019). There was no association between OS/RFS and HER-2 status, Ki67, IHC subtypes nor grade. Conclusions: Male BC is usually ER, PR and AR-positive, Luminal B-like/HER2-negative. Of note, 56% patients had T1 tumors but only 4% had BCS. ER was highly positive in >90% of cases but only 77% received adjuvant ET. ER, PR and AR were associated with OS and RFS, whereas grade, Ki67 and IHC surrogates were not. Significant improvement in survival over time was observed.

Surgical extraction of canine oesophageal foreign bodies through a gastrotomy approach: 12 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a gastrotomy approach to remove foreign bodies located in the caudal oesophagus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective examination of case records of dogs with surgical management of foreign body located in the caudal oesophagus. RESULTS: Twelve dogs with caudal oesophageal foreign body were managed surgically after unsuccessful endoscopic approaches. The foreign body was successfully extracted via gastrotomy in all 12 cases. Ten dogs recovered well without any postoperative complications but one dog died during the immediate postoperative period and one during hospitalisation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Caudal oesophageal foreign body extraction by gastrotomy is a possible alternative to transthoracic oesophagotomy. Based on the small population presented here this approach performed through a laparotomy appears easy, with a low rate of perioperative and postoperative complications.

Comparison of the tibia plateau angle between small and large dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the conformation of the proximal tibia evaluated on a medio-lateral radiograph between small and large dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD). METHODS: Retrospective clinical study with dogs having radiographic evaluation and CCLD confirmed at surgery. The first group (n = 52) was comprised of dogs weighing less than 15 kg and the second group (n = 52) of dogs weighing more than 15 kg. The tibial plateau angle (TPA), the relative tibial tuberosity width (rTTW), and the Z angle were measured on preoperative radiographs with imaging measurement software. Linear mixed models were used to assess the effect of weight, age, sex, and neutered status on radiographic measurements and to estimate interobserver variabilities. RESULTS: The small dog group had a greater TPA (30.1° ± 5.3; p <0.001 with a mean difference of 4.9° [95% CI: 3.8-6.0]) and Z angle (69.9° ± 5.6; p<0.001 with a mean difference of 6.1° ([95% CI: 4.9-7.4]) than the large dog group. Sex and neutered status further influenced the TPA and Z angle values. No significant effect was observed on the rTTW values. A strong correlation was found between the TPA and the Z angle (r = 0.61, p <0.001). Variances were not significantly different between observers. Overall the interobserver variability was low suggesting that agreement was good. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Small dogs with CCLD have a steeper tibial plateau than large dogs with CCLD. Sex and neutered status also had an effect on some measured variables. This anatomical difference could influence the surgical technique, which may affect the outcome. The good interobserver agreement suggests the observer is unlikely to influence surgical planning.

Validation of QTL for resistance to Aphanomyces euteiches in different pea genetic backgrounds using near-isogenic lines.

KEY MESSAGE: Marker-assisted backcrossing was used to generate pea NILs carrying individual or combined resistance alleles at main Aphanomyces resistance QTL. The effects of several QTL were successfully validated depending on genetic backgrounds. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) validation is an important and often overlooked step before subsequent research in QTL cloning or marker-assisted breeding for disease resistance in plants. Validation of QTL controlling partial resistance to Aphanomyces root rot, one of the most damaging diseases of pea worldwide, is of major interest for the future development of resistant varieties. The aim of this study was to validate, in different genetic backgrounds, the effects of various resistance alleles at seven main resistance QTL recently identified. Five backcross-assisted selection programs were developed. In each, resistance alleles at one to three of the seven main Aphanomyces resistance QTL were transferred into three genetic backgrounds, including two agronomically important spring (Eden) and winter (Isard) pea cultivars. The subsequent near-isogenic lines (NILs) were evaluated for resistance to two reference strains of the main A. euteiches pathotypes under controlled conditions. The NILs carrying resistance alleles at the major-effect QTL Ae-Ps4.5 and Ae-Ps7.6, either individually or in combination with resistance alleles at other QTL, showed significantly reduced disease severity compared to NILs without resistance alleles. Resistance alleles at some minor-effect QTL, especially Ae-Ps2.2 and Ae-Ps5.1, were also validated for their individual or combined effects on resistance. QTL × genetic background interactions were observed, mainly for QTL Ae-Ps7.6, the effect of which increased in the winter cultivar Isard. The pea NILs are a novel and valuable resource for further understanding the mechanisms underlying QTL and their integration in breeding programs.

Mixing sainfoin and lucerne to improve the feed value of legumes fed to sheep by the effect of condensed tannins.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of sainfoin-based condensed tannins (CT) enhances feed value when given with tannin-free legumes (lucerne) to sheep. The experiments were conducted with fresh sainfoin and lucerne harvested at two stages (vegetative stage as compared with early flowering) in the first growth cycle. Fresh sainfoin and lucerne forages were combined in ratios of 100 : 0, 75 : 25, 25 : 75 and 0 : 100 (denoted S100, S75, S25 and S0, respectively). Voluntary intake, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and nitrogen (N) retention were measured in sheep fed the different sainfoin and lucerne mixtures. Loss of dry matter (DM) and N from polyester bags suspended in the rumen, abomasum and small intestine (SI) was also measured using rumen-fistulated sheep and intestinally fistulated sheep. The CT content in sainfoin (S100) decreased with increasing percentage of lucerne in the mixture (mean value from 58 g/kg DM for S100 to 18 g/kg DM for S25) and with growth stage (S100: 64 to 52 g/kg DM). OMD did not differ between different sainfoin/lucerne mixture ratios. Sainfoin and lucerne had an associative effect (significant quadratic contrast) on voluntary intake, N intake, total-tract N digestibility, N in faeces and urine (g/g N intake) and N retained (g/g N intake). Compared with lucerne mixtures (S0 and S25), high-sainfoin-content mixtures (S100 and S75) increased the in situ estimates of forage N escaping from the rumen (from 0.162, 0.188 for S0 and S25 to 0.257, 0.287 for S75 and S100) but decreased forage N intestinal digestibility (from 0.496, 0.446 for S0 and S25 to 0.469, 0.335 for S75 and S100). The amount of forage N disappearing from the bags in the SI (per g forage N) was the highest for high-sainfoin mixtures (from 0.082, 0.108 for S100 and S75 to 0.056, 0.058 for S25 and S0, P < 0.001). Rumen juice total N (tN) and ammonia N (NH3-N) values were the lowest in the high-sainfoin diet (mean tN 0.166 mg/g in S100 as compared with 0.514 mg/g in S0; mean NH3-N 0.104 mg/g in S100 as compared with 0.333 mg/g in S0, P < 0.001).

Comparative use of CO2 laser, diode laser and monopolar electrocautery for resection of the soft palate in dogs with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome.

Clinical results, complications and the outcome of using either a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, diode laser or electrocautery (ELEC) for resection of the soft palate with an extended palatoplasty technique in brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstructive syndrome were compared. Dogs were randomly allocated into three groups (n=20 in each group): ELEC, diode and CO2 groups. The palatoplasty was made at the rostral aspect of the tonsils. A respiratory clinical score, ranging from 0 (normal) to 4 (cyanosis), was attributed to each dog before surgery and at 0 hours, 24 hours, two weeks and six months after surgery. A favourable outcome was defined as a one point or greater decrease in score 24 hours after surgery. The proportion of dogs with a favourable outcome was significantly higher in the CO2 (n=15) and ELEC groups (n=15) in comparison with the diode group (n=7) (OR=5.6, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.4 to 21.9). Surgical time was significantly shorter (P<0.001; mean [sd] 510 [178] seconds), and bleeding was less common (P<0.001; 30 per cent of cases) in the CO2 group. Complications were most frequent with the diode group (two cases of death and two cases of tracheostomy). The final outcome for all groups (n=57) was considered excellent in 79 per cent of cases and was considered good in 21 per cent.