No abstract

BackgroundVitamin D (vitD) deficiency is linked to many disease states including rickets and cancer, and vitD supplementation to improve response to cancer therapy has been explored. Supplementation may be most appropriate for dogs with suboptimal vitD concentrations. In dogs, the primary source of vitD is diet (predominantly via commercial dog food). Our goal was to determine how food source and supplements affect 25(OH)D concentrations, the storage form of vitD. Serum was collected from clinically healthy dogs, and pet owners were surveyed about food source and supplements. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured using a quantitative chemiluminescent assay (LIASON, DiaSorin, Stillwater, MN).ResultsDogs (n = 320) were tested for serum 25(OH)D concentrations (range 9.5–249.2 ng/mL). Dogs were fed commercial diets from forty different manufactures (n = 292); additionally some dogs were fed homemade diets (n = 18) or a combination of commercial and homemade diets (n = 10). Median serum 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs fed commercial foods ranged from 47.4 to 100.1 ng/mL with an overall median of 67.9 ng/ml (CV 29 %). Analysis for differences among manufacturers was significant (P = 0.0006). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations amongst dogs fed homemade diets had the largest range (9.5–129 ng/mL) and the lowest value (9.5 ng/mL). Dogs receiving salmon oil as a supplement (n = 22) had significantly higher serum 25(OH)D (on average a 19.6 ng/mL increase) than those not receiving a supplement (P = 0.007).ConclusionsSerum 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs vary widely which likely reflects varying dietary vitD content. Notable differences exist among manufacturers and brands and may reflect differences in proprietary formulations. Given the variability of measured serum 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs and the importance vitD appears to have on health status, dietary vitD content should be optimized.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1360-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Thymidine kinase (TK1) is a biomarker that correlates well with diagnosis and prognosis in certain canine cancers. Canine C-reactive protein (cCRP) is a widely accepted marker of inflammation correlated with increased risk and severity of various diseases. We evaluated serum TK1 and cCRP concentrations in apparently healthy dogs (n = 360). All dogs were followed up for a minimum of 6 months by health questionnaire. All dogs with cancer were identified using a proprietary dual-biomarker algorithm [termed Neoplasia Index (NI)]. Specificity of positive NI is 0.91 and high positive is 0.98. All-cause mortality was 20% in dogs with elevated cCRP and 3% in dogs with low cCRP. The performance of serum TK1 and cCRP as tools for screening for occult cancer is improved when evaluated together. Serum TK1 and cCRP (unified in the NI) are useful in the screening of occult canine cancer. cCRP is useful in screening for other serious diseases.

BackgroundSerum thymidine kinase type 1 (TK1) and canine C‐Reactive Protein (cCRP) might be useful in detecting dogs with cancer. Algorithms combining biomarkers are sometimes more accurate than results of individual tests.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare serum TK1 and cCRP and Neoplasia Index (NI) in healthy and tumor‐bearing dogs.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs with (n = 253) and without (n = 156) cancer.MethodsRetrospective case–control study. Dogs with cancer were identified after submission of samples for commercial assay and case details were retrospectively collected. Healthy dogs (control) were identified through breed groups and health status was confirmed by health questionnaire for a minimum of 6 months. Serum TK1 activity was measured using a quantitative chemiluminescent assay and serum cCRP was measured using a quantitative ELISA assay.Results TK1 activity in the cancer (n = 253) and control group (n = 156) were 7.0 μ/L (median, range <0.5 to >100) and 1.8 μ/L (median, range 0.4 to 55.3), respectively (P < .001). cCRP concentrations in the cancer and control group were 6.0 mg/L (median, range <0.5 to >50) and 1.6 mg/L (median, range 0.09 to >50), respectively (P < .001). The NI in the cancer and control group were 6.4 (median, range 0–9.9) and 0.9 (median, range 0–7.6), respectively (P < .001). ROC AUCs of the NI and TK1 for all cancers were greater than 0.8, highest for lymphoma and histiocytic sarcoma.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceIncreased concentrations of TK1 and cCRP, when present in dogs with cancer, might be useful in confirming a diagnosis and monitoring response to treatment.

Background Surrogate markers that accurately detect mucosal healing [MH] in patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] are urgently needed. Several stool neutrophil-related proteins are currently used as biomarkers for MH. However, the sensitivity and specificity are not sufficient to avoid unnecessary endoscopic evaluations. Methods Novel serum neutrophil-related markers (neutrophil gelatinase B-associated lipocalin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 [NGAL-MMP-9 complex], cathelicidin LL-37 and chitinase 3-like 1 [CHI3L1]), together with C-reactive protein [CRP] and neutrophil counts were studied. Serum samples were obtained from 176 anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF]-treated UC patients (145 infliximab [IFX] and 31 adalimumab [ADM]) at baseline and after a median of 9.5 weeks. All patients had active disease prior to treatment (Mayo endoscopic subscore [MES] ≥ 2), and MH was defined as MES ≤ 1. Serum was also obtained from 75 healthy controls. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to generate the Ulcerative Colitis Response Index [UCRI]. The performance of individual markers and UCRI was tested with receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results All neutrophil-related markers were significantly higher in active UC patients compared to healthy controls. In the IFX cohort, CRP, NGAL-MMP-9, CHI3L1 and neutrophil count decreased significantly after treatment and all marker levels were significantly lower in healers compared to non-healers following IFX. In the ADM cohort, CRP, NGAL-MMP-9, CHI3L1 and neutrophil count decreased significantly only in healers. UCRI [including CRP, CHI3L1, neutrophil count and LL-37] accurately detected MH in both IFX-treated (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.83) and ADM-treated [AUC = 0.79] patients. Conclusions The new UCRI index accurately detects MH after treatment with IFX and ADM. This panel is useful for monitoring MH in UC patients under anti-TNF treatment. Podcast This article has an associated podcast which can be accessed at https://academic.oup.com/ecco-jcc/pages/podcast