Comparative review of human and canine osteosarcoma: morphology, epidemiology, prognosis, treatment and genetics

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is a rare cancer in people. However OSA incidence rates in dogs are 27 times higher than in people. Prognosis in both species is poor, with five year osteosarcoma survival rates in people not having improved in decades. For dogs, one year survival rates are only around ~45%. Improved and novel treatment regimens are urgently required to improve survival in both humans and dogs with OSA. Utilising information from genetic studies could assist in this in both species, with the higher incidence rates in dogs contributing to the dog population being a good model of human disease. This review compares the clinical characteristics, gross morphology and histopathology, aetiology, epidemiology, and genetics of canine and human osteosarcoma. Finally, the current position of canine osteosarcoma genetic research is discussed and areas for additional work within the canine population are identified

Commercial cultivation and bioremediation potential of sugar kelp, Saccharina latissima, in Danish waters

Several seaweed species have been successfully tested for their biofilter potential for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). In this study, Saccharina latissima bioremediation potential was assessed over 12 months with respect to the yield, phosphorous (P), nitrogen (N) content and N removal. The experiment took place at two commercial cultivation areas; in close proximity to a blue mussel and fish farm (IMTA) and at a reference site, both situated outside Horsens fjord in Denmark. The maximum biomass yield over the first growing season was achieved in August (1.08±0.09 and 1.51±0.13 kg FW m-1) and September (0.92±0.18 and 1.49±0.16 kg FW m-1).Yield was significantly higher at the IMTA compared to the reference site in August (P<0.05). A second growing season did not improve biofiltration efficiency. The highest N and P removal was achieved in August and September. Again the IMTA location showed better N and P removal compared with the reference site in August; 5.02-7.02 g N and 0.86-1.23 g P m-1 of cultivation line (P<0.05). S. latissima shows potential for assimilation and removal of nutrients, particularly nitrogen. Seasonal variations of biofilter efficiency, conditions and potential applications should be taken into account when evaluating the best suited harvest time. For Horsens fjord, our results showed that the harvest time should take place in August-September in order to achieve maximum biofiltration efficiency (including N and P in epiphytes). However, for human consumption, it is better to harvest in May where the seaweed is free of epiphytes

Seasonal variations in the amino acid profile and protein nutritional value of Saccharina latissima cultivated in a commercial IMTA system

Seaweeds have potential for the provision of biomass for food and feed supplements. The demand is increasing especially for proteins as ingredients; however, the amino acid profile is essential for evaluation of the nutritional value of proteins. The year-round protein concentration and amino acid profiles of Saccharina latissima were determined, and the harvest time and nutritional potential were evaluated. Bi-monthly samples were analyzed from S. latissima (including epiphytes, when present) cultivated commercially at an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) site and a reference site in Denmark in 2013–2014. Overall, there was no significant difference for the tested parameters between the two sampling sites; however, seasonal variations were found. The protein concentration varied markedly reaching a maximum of 10.8 % dry weight (DW) in November and a minimum of 1.3 % DW in May 2013. Aspartic and glutamic acids dominated the amino acid profile, accounting for up to 49 % of the total. Greatest seasonal differences in amino acid composition occurred in July, with leucine contributing most (22.7–26.7 %) of the observed differences. A maximal essential amino acid (EAA) score of 68.9 % (based on WHO/FAO/UNU requirements) was achieved in November 2013. The presence of epiphytes in July to November changed neither the amino acid content nor the EAA score. S. latissima is comparable with wheat as a protein ingredient for fish feed and appears to be a suitable protein/amino acid source for human consumption. This study proposes that there may be a mismatch between harvest time and nutritional value. The preferable harvest time for S. latissima is November, due to high protein content and EAA score. However, higher yield and cleaner biomass for human consumption would be found in May

Cost-effective IMTA: a comparison of the production efficiencies of mussels and seaweed

This paper compares the biofilter capacity and cost-effectiveness of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and seaweed for use in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) based on experiences in Ireland and Denmark. This comparison shows that weight for weight, mussels are a better biofilter than seaweed with regard to the amount of nitrogen assimilated. Furthermore, in optimized systems, areal requirement for mussels is similar to the cultivation of the same tonnage (1,000 t) of seaweed (approximately 8 ha). The cost-effectiveness of a mussel biofilter is a,not sign11-30 kg(-1) nitrogen (N) removed based on various examples compared to production costs of a,not sign209-672 removed and a,not sign1,013 kg(-1) N removed, respectively, for Laminaria digitata and Alaria esculenta from extrapolated laboratory and field trials. However, commercial seaweed (Saccharina latissima) producers claim that production costs are less than a,not sign10-38 kg(-1) N removed. These up-scaled and commercial figures make the seaweed cost competitive to mussels for removal of nitrogen. Disadvantages such as predators (e.g. eider ducks) and biofouling should also be taken into account before choice of biofilter is made. These drawbacks can reduce overall biofilter capacity and biomass value as a consequence of biomass spoilage or loss. However, disadvantages may be mitigated by seasonal choice of cultivation and harvest times. Cultivation technologies and harvesting methods may be improved together with breeding to improve the cost-efficiency of the biofilter, especially in the newer European seaweed cultivation. Furthermore, upscaling of IMTA to commercial proportions, other than the Danish example, would allow more real data on production costs and revenues