Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (AVHTM) transfusion reaction small animal consensus statement (TRACS). Part 3: Diagnosis and treatment

Objective To systematically review available evidence to develop guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of transfusion‐associated reactions in dogs and cats. Design Standardized and systemic evaluation of the literature (identified through Medline via PubMed and Google Scholar searches) was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. The available evidence was evaluated using PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions generated for each reaction type. The evidence was categorized by level of evidence (LOE) and quality (Good, Fair, or Poor). Guidelines, diagnostic, and treatment algorithms were generated based on the evaluation of the evidence. Consensus on the final guidelines was achieved through Delphi‐style surveys. Draft recommendations were disseminated through veterinary specialty listservs for review and comments, which were evaluated and integrated prior to final publication. Results Medline via PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched. There were 14 Population Intervention Comparison Outcome questions identified and corresponding worksheets were developed focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of transfusion‐associated reactions in dogs and cats. Fourteen guidelines and four algorithms were developed with a high degree of consensus. Conclusions This systematic evidence evaluation process yielded recommended diagnostic and treatment algorithms for use in practice. However, significant knowledge gaps were identified, demonstrating the need for additional research in veterinary transfusion medicine

Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (AVHTM) Transfusion Reaction Small Animal Consensus Statement (TRACS) Part 2: Prevention and monitoring

Objective To systematically review available evidence to develop guidelines for the prevention of transfusion reactions and monitoring of transfusion administration in dogs and cats. Design Evidence evaluation of the literature (identified through Medline searches through Pubmed and Google Scholar searches) was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. Evidence was evaluated using PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions generated for each reaction type. Evidence was categorized by level of evidence (LOE) and quality (Good, Fair, or Poor). Guidelines for prevention and monitoring were generated based on the synthesis of the evidence. Consensus on the final recommendations and a proposed transfusion administration monitoring form was achieved through Delphi‐style surveys. Draft recommendations and the monitoring form were made available through veterinary specialty listservs and comments were incorporated. Results Twenty‐nine guidelines and a transfusion administration monitoring form were formulated from the evidence review with a high degree of consensus Conclusions This systematic evidence evaluation process yielded recommended prevention and monitoring guidelines and a proposed transfusion administration form. However, significant knowledge gaps were identified, demonstrating the need for additional research in veterinary transfusion medicine

3-D optical coherence tomography of the laryngeal mucosa

Laryngeal carcinoma is one of the commonest primary head and neck malignancy and the need for early identification is very important for successful treatment. Outpatient fibreoptic examination of the larynx is unreliable in differentiating benign, pre-malignant and malignant lesions, and therefore surgeons have to rely on biopsies for a definitive diagnosis. This is an invasive procedure requiring general anaesthesia and may have a detrimental effect on the patient's voice. Conventional imaging modalities (ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) have a limited resolution and hence cannot give sufficient information on the extent or nature of laryngeal lesions. The aim of our study is to investigate the feasibility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in imaging the normal larynx, to lay the foundations for an investigation of its ability to differentiate between benign and malignant disease. Ten tissue specimens from normal larynges were imaged with an 850 nm OCT system that was capable of providing both B-scan (longitudinal or cross-section) images as well as C-scan (en-face or images at constant depth). The en-face OCT mode allowed us to reconstruct 3-D OCT images of the tissue examined. Imaged specimens were processed with standard histopathological techniques and sectioned in the plane of the B-scan OCT images. Haematoxylin-eosin stained specimens were compared with the OCT images thus collected. Preliminary results showed good correlation between OCT images and histology sections in normal tissue

Genetic mapping in the Triticeae

Genetic maps are the fundamental tools to identify features of phenotypes that are linked to specific genetic loci and eventually DNA sequences or genes. The major use of genetic linkage maps has, therefore, been to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL). Genetic maps are also essential for marker assisted selection, comparative mapping, high-resolution mapping and map based cloning. To date, over 40 maps with at least 300 markers have been published for different Triticeae populations. The quality of genetic maps can be affected by a number of factors and map curation ensures that map quality issues are identified and, where possible, resolved. We report on the issues involved in the production of quality genetic linkage maps by inspection of marker genotype data after map construction