2001 Annual Meeting
& President's Report
Thursday May 10, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 2 PM
Present were MaryDee Sist, President; Jim Steckley, Treasurer; Nancy Badra, Secretary
The corporate records were reviewed and approved. The treasurer's report was reviewed and approved. A detailed report is included in the corporate record. The current balance as of May, 2001 is $26,515.71. He cautioned that due to SHR's non-profit status, the money retained for the purpose of funding further studies would require further tax form filing if the balance averaged substantially over $25,000.
SHR board members and terms of office are:
MaryDee Sist, DVM, President - 3 yr. term (6/99-6/2002)
Lana Kaiser, MD, DVM, Vice-President - 2 yr. term (6/99-6/2001) will notify of intentions 6/01
Nancy Badra, Secretary - 2 yr. term (2/99-6/2001) will serve through 6/2003
William Schall, DVM - 1 yr. term (6/2001-6/2002)
James Steckley, Treasurer - 1 yr. term (6/99-6/2000) will serve through 6/2002
Old Business
Shr Current Projects: Heart Pathology Study. 24 Saluki hearts have been added to the 55 examined by pathologist Dr. Tom Bell from 6/2000 through May 2001.
The Canine Health Foundation grant for the Determination of Viral Contribution to Cardiac Disease in the Select Population of Salukis by Dr. John Gerlach - DNA has been harvested from 55 Saluki heart tissue samples. The viral DNA components are currently being analyzed. Dr. Gerlach anticipates completing the study in the next few months and will report the findings to the CHF.
Additionally, a screen for herpes viral DNA in the hemangiosarcoma samples was recently begun in Dr. Gerlach's laboratory. It was recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that herpes virus plays a causative role in the development of Karposi's sarcoma in human AIDS patients. Since hemangiosarcomas are related vascular tumors, a screen was begun to look for herpes viral DNA in the 17 hemangiosarcoma tissue samples collected in the Saluki heart pathology study.
20 harvested and stored DNA samples for both AKC and Country of Origin Salukis were forwarded for inclusion in a United Kingdom autoimmune genetic marker investigation. These samples had to be from Salukis that were not related for at least 5 generations.
The CHF/SHR/SCOA funded bone mineral density study is in progress. Radiographs and 'cat' scans have been performed on 10 Salukis to date. The densities are currently being calculated and results will be reported to the CHF.
Two geneticists, Dr. George Padgett and Dr. Patrick Venta have been contacted about beginning to analyze pedigrees for a possible genetic component or mode of inheritance of different forms of cancer as well as the heart conditions found in the Saluki Heart pathology study.
A CHF funded hemangiosarcoma study involving Golden Retriever and German Shepherd Dogs was investigated after signing a confidentiality agreement. I approached the co-investigators about including Salukis in their study. Their method of DNA exploration required fresh surgically removed samples. They were willing to explore the possibility of collaborative venture in the future after they had at least completed the first year/phase of their study. Copies of the correspondence are included.
Dr. Pat Venta, a molecular biologist at the College of Veterinary Medicine, MSU, was contacted about investigating the cancer incidence in Salukis. He has had several grants (including CHF grants) to study the genetics of cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinchers and PRA in Labradors. He felt that a genetic cause of the hemangiosarcomas seemed likely. He is working on a method to simplify searching the whole canine genome for disease causing genes. He was interested in including Saluki DNA in his study and his write-up is included.
Plans are underway at the SCOA National Specialty to collect blood samples and harvest the DNA for storage in the Saluki DNA bank for future analysis. This is an opportunity to collect blood samples from Saluki from different areas of the country and lines. Then as markers for various genetic diseases are discovered in the future, the DNA can be analyzed. Reports and posters regarding research projects as well as the corporate records will be available for public viewing at the SCOA Health committee table.
Due in part to the SalukiHealth web site (http://www.gazehound.com/SalukiHealth), graciously provided and maintained by Gayle Nastasi, SHR receives 3 to 4 email Saluki health related inquiries weekly. These have been from all parts of the world and covering many health and even training related topics. I answer each by email or telephone and consult with the owner or their veterinarian. Many are referred to specialists in their areas of the country. Related Saluki studies and write-ups are sent out. SHR donations are acknowledged on the web site and a thank-you card is mailed. Donor receipt letters have been mailed by the end of the year for direct SHR donations as well as for the STOLA/SHR auction contributors and supporters.
Discussions took place on the following proposed projects, which were approved:
Funding Saluki publication costs including color photos
Investigating various cancer studies and oncologists
Funding a DNA study for heterogeneity for a few families of AKC and COO Salukis
Continuing the Saluki Heart Pathology Study
Continuing harvesting/banking Saluki DNA for future analysis
Collecting/banking Saluki cancer samples
Graciously accept STOLA's offer of holding an eBay auction as a continuing source of funding
Continue to search for and retain money to fund cancer studies that can be pursued in a collaborative effort with the CHF and SCOA, thus allowing larger grants possibly piggy-backed for Salukis from other studies
MaryDee Sist, DVM Salukihealth@aol.com