Treatment of Aldosterone‐Secreting Adrenocortical Tumors in Cats by Unilateral Adrenalectomy: 10 Cases (2002–2012)

Background

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) in cats occurs as a consequence of excessive hormone production by an adrenocortical tumor. Median survival time, association between tumor type and prognosis, and the likelihood that cats require continued medical therapy after surgery have not been systematically evaluated.

Objectives

To determine the median survival time of cats with PHA treated by unilateral adrenalectomy. To examine if tumor type, anesthesia time, or tumor location (left or right side) affect survival and if affected cats require continued postoperative treatment for persistent hypertension or hypokalemia.

Animals

Ten client‐owned cats.

Methods

Retrospective study. Cats were diagnosed with PHA based on clinical signs, increased plasma aldosterone concentration, and advanced imaging. Cats underwent unilateral adrenalectomy. Survival time (days alive after surgery) was determined for each cat. Factors affecting median survival time were investigated, including histopathology, anesthesia time, and location (side) of the tumor.

Results

Eight of 10 cats survived to discharge from the hospital post adrenalectomy. Overall median survival was 1,297 days (range 2–1,582 days). The only significant factor affecting median survival time was anesthesia time >4 hours. Tumor type and location (side) did not significantly affect median survival time. No cats required continued medical treatment for PHA.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Although PHA in cats is still considered an uncommon condition, it should be considered in middle to older aged cats with hypokalemic polymyopathy and systemic hypertension. Surgical correction by unilateral adrenalectomy is a viable approach to definitive treatment of PHA with no need for continued medical management.     

Gender,caponization and exogenous estrogen effects on lipids,bone and blood characteristics in Taiwan country chickens

This study investigated gender, caponization and exogenous estrogen effects on lipids, bone and blood characteristics in Taiwan country chickens. Thirty male chickens were caponized at 8 weeks (capons); 15 capons were injected with estrogen (5 mg/bird estradiol 3‐benzoate) every 2 weeks from 8 to 28 weeks, and 15 sham‐operated male (shams) chickens and 15 females were selected for this trial. The results showed that the shams had lower relative abdominal and chest subcutaneous fat than females (P < 0.05). The estrogen‐treated capons had greater relative abdominal and chest subcutaneous fat than shams and capons (P < 0.05), which might result from higher blood very low‐density lipoproteins and triacylglycerol concentrations (P < 0.05). Caponization could dramatically increase relative abdominal fat (506%; P < 0.05). The shams had higher tibia weight and biomechanical properties, such as maximum bone strength and bending moment values than the capons (P < 0.05). Tibia biomechanical properties were reduced by estrogen treatment (P < 0.05). The females obtained the lowest biomechanical value in all treatments (P < 0.05). Histological examination revealed cavity formation in the cortical bone of estrogen‐treated capons and female chickens, which suggested that estrogen reduced bone biomechanical properties by destroying its structural integrity.     

The galactic center: is it a massive black hole?

Studies of active galactic nuclei constitute one of the major efforts in astronomy. Massive black holes are the most likely source for the enormous energy radiated from such nuclei. Observations reviewed here suggest unusual activity and the possible existence of a massive black hole in the nucleus of our galaxy. Because of its proximity to Earth, our galactic nucleus can be observed in unsurpassed detail and may serve as the Rosetta stone both for deciphering active galactic nuclei and for confirming the existence of a massive black hole.     

A Transient Radio Source near the Center of the Milky Way Galaxy

In late December 1990, a new radio source appeared near the center of our galaxy rivaling the intensity of Sgr A(*) (the compact radio source at the galactic center). Following its first detection, the flux density of the galactic center transient (GCT) increased rapidly to a maximum 1 month later, and then declined gradually with a time scale of about 3 months. Surprisingly, the GCT maintained a steep radio spectrum during both its rising and decay phases. The neutral hydrogen (HI) absorption shows similar absorption to that in front of Sgr A(*); this indicates that the GCT lies near the galactic center. Furthermore, both HI and OH observations show an additional deep absorption at +20 kilometers per second with respect to the local standard of rest. Thus, the GCT is either embedded in or located behind a molecular cloud moving with that velocity. The cloud can be seen on infrared images. Its opacity is shown to be inadequate to conceal a supernova near the galactic center. It is argued that the GCT was probably transient radio emission from synchrotron-radiating plasma associated with an x-ray binary system.     

关于中厚板理论的广义胡海昌方程

本文将便于应用的胡海昌方程推广到各种常见的中厚板理论.广义胡海昌方程解的结构与弹性理论所得的结果一致.     

Introduction of human DNA into mouse eggs by injection of dissected chromosome fragments

A procedure has been developed for introducing exogenous DNA into mouse eggs by injection of chromosome fragments. Chromosome fragments were dissected from human metaphase spreads and microinjected into the pronuclei of fertilized mouse eggs. Many of the injected eggs subsequently exhibited normal pre- and postimplantation development. Embryos obtained from eggs injected with centromeric fragments retained human centromeric DNA as demonstrated by in situ hybridization analysis. From eggs injected with noncentromeric fragments, a mouse was obtained whose tail tissue exhibited the presence of human DNA. This procedure should facilitate incorporation of very large (more than 10 megabases) DNA fragments into cells and embryos without the need for cloned sequences.     

Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air of Buildings in Nuclear Power Plants, Taiwan

This study investigates the composition and concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air-conditioned office space and low-level waste (LLW) repository sites of nuclear power plants located in Taiwan. Air samples were collected in the office space and technical rooms of administration buildings of the three nuclear power plants and in LLW repository site using canisters. Thirty-six toxic organic compounds including aromatics, CFCs and chlorinated hydrocarbons were identified and quantified using gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The results indicated that the concentrations of most determined species were similar to that in urban areas; however, the air at the LLW building contained abundant trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC-113), trichloroethylene, toluene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and CFC-12 in concentrations markedly higher than the background levels. Only toluene and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene were detected with low concentrations in the air of LLW repository site. In addition, comparison of the ambient air concentration at several major industries and urban atmosphere revealed that the nuclear power plants emitted and/or leaked higher concentration of chlorinated hydrocarbons among them.     

Angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from in vitro pepsin-pancreatin digestion of soy protein

Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was determined in the soy protein isolate (SPI) digest produced by in vitro pepsin-pancreatin sequential digestion. The inhibitory activity was highest within the first 20 min of pepsin digestion and decreased upon subsequent digestion with pancreatin. An IC(50) value of 0.28 +/- 0.04 mg/mL was determined after 180 min of digestion, while no ACE inhibitory activity was measured for the undigested SPI at 0.73 mg/mL. Chromatographic fractionation of the SPI digest resulted in IC(50) values of active fractions ranging from 0.13 +/- 0.03 to 0.93 +/- 0.08 mg/mL. Although many of the fractions showed ACE inhibition, peptides with lower molecular masses and higher hydrophobicities were most active. The findings show that many different peptides with ACE inhibitory activities were produced after in vitro pepsin-pancreatin digestion of SPI and lead to the speculation that physiological gastrointestinal digestion could also yield ACE inhibitory peptides from SPI.