Thyroid hormone abnormalities and outcome in dogs with non-thyroidal illness

OBJECTIVES: To document thyroid hormone abnormalities in dogs with non-thyroidal illness and identify markers of prognostic value. METHODS: Circulating total and free thyroxine, total triiodothyronine and thyrotropin concentrations were measured in 196 dogs with non-thyroidal illness. Clinical signs, previous medications and outcome were recorded in each case. Data were analysed to determine endocrine prognostic factors, and to document the prevalence of thyroid hormone abnormalities. RESULTS: Total triiodothyronine, and total and free thyroxine concentrations were decreased in 75.9, 34.7 and 4.5 per cent of cases, respectively. Dogs which were euthanased had significantly decreased total triiodothyronine, and total and free thyroxine concentrations compared with those which made a full recovery. Total triiodothyronine concentrations were significantly lower in dogs that were euthanased compared with those which made a partial recovery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Thyroid hormone concentrations may be used as prognostic indicators in dogs with non-thyroidal illness. Low triiodothyronine syndrome may be more common in dogs than previously recognised.     

Exchange of materials between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere

Many biogenic trace gases are increasing in concentration or flux or both in the atmosphere as a consequence of human activities. Most of these gases have demonstrated or potential effects on atmospheric chemistry, climate, and the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Focused studies of the interactions between the atmosphere and the biosphere that regulate trace gases can improve both our understanding of terrestrial ecosystems and our ability to predict regional-and global-scale canges in atmospheric chemistry.     

Treatment and prognostic factors in lymphoma in cats: 103 cases (1977-1981)

The records of 103 cats with lymphoma that underwent chemotherapy were reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed by cytologic or histopathologic examination of appropriate tissue specimens. Sixty-four cats (62%) had a complete response to chemotherapy (median survival time, 7 months); 21 cats (20%) had a partial response (median survival time, 2.5 months); and 18 cats had a minimal response (median survival time, 1.5 months). Seventy-seven cats (75%) died of recurrent or progressive lymphoma, 9 cats died of feline leukemia-related anemia, 13 cats died of unrelated causes, and 4 cats were alive. Stage of disease was significantly (P = 0.009) related to response to treatment, and stage of disease and FeLV status were both significantly (P = 0.002 and P less than 0.001, respectively) related to survival.     

Osteosarcoma in cats: 22 cases (1974-1984)

Osteosarcoma was diagnosed in 22 cats. Diagnosis was based on results of physical, radiographic, and histologic findings. Fifteen tumors arose from the appendicular skeleton, 4 from the skull, 2 from the pelvis, and 1 from a rib. Radiography revealed that in 14 of 15 cats (93%) with appendicular tumors, the lesion was metaphyseal, primarily lytic, with a "moth-eaten" appearance; absence and presence of periosteal new bone formation were associated with the tumors in 12 and 3 cats, respectively. The remaining 7 cats had axial tumors that were characterized by the presence of periosteal new bone formation in addition to bony lysis. Of the 15 cats with appendicular tumors, 12 were treated by amputation and 3 were euthanatized at the time of diagnosis. Of the cats undergoing amputation for treatment of their appendicular tumors, 6 cats were still alive 64 months after surgery (range, 13 to 64 months); the median survival time of the 5 cats (1 cat was lost to follow-up evaluation) that died was 49.2 months (range, 1 to 122 months). Four of 12 cats (33%) survived greater than or equal to 5 years after diagnosis. Of the cats with axial tumors that were not euthanatized at the time of diagnosis (6 of 7), the median survival time was 5.5 months. Based on these findings, we concluded that cats with appendicular osteosarcoma have a better prognosis than those with axial osteosarcoma, and that amputation is a viable treatment for cats with appendicular osteosarcoma.     

美国怀俄明州西黄松林分碳库和经济收益比较

A forest carbon (C) sequestration project was conducted to evaluate the economic incentives that would be required by landowners to engage in C trading under different management regimes. Costs associated with joint management for C sequestration and timber would be valuable for establishing sound forest C trading systems. In this study, we calculated the C yield and amortized value of three Wyoming, ponderosa pine stands. The management practices examined were, unmanaged, even-aged (regeneration after clear-cut) and uneven-aged (selectively harvested). Costs and revenues associated with three stands were converted into 2006 real dollars using the all commodity producer price index to facilitate a comparison among the net revenues of three stands. Net revenues were annualized using a conservative annual interest rate of 4.5%. Our even-aged stand had the highest annual average C yield of 2.48 Mg·ha⁻¹·a¹, whereas, the uneven-aged stand had the lowest C accumulation (1.98 Mg·ha⁻¹·a⁻¹). Alternatively, the even-aged stand had the highest amortized net return of $276·ha⁻¹·a⁻¹ and the unmanaged stand had the lowest net return of $276·ha⁻¹·a⁻¹ and the unmanaged stand had the lowest net return of 64 ·ha⁻¹·a⁻¹. On the plots examined, an annual payment of $22 for each additional Mg of C sequestered would encourage a change from uneven aged management to an unmanaged stand that sequesters additional C, in the absence of transactions costs.     

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia--four cases and a literature review

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenla was diagnosed in four dogs. Initial platelet counts in all four dogs were less than 50,000 x 10(9)/litre and initial bone marrow examinations revealed megakaryocytic hypoplasia with minimal changes in the erythroid and myeloid cell lines. Two dogs had evidence of idiopathic immune-mediated disease and two dogs had evidence of associated infectious disease. One dog had a positive antibody titre to Borrella burgdorferi, and one dog had positive titres to both Ehrlichia canis and B. burgdorferi. Treatment consisted of prednisone and cyclophosphamide for the dogs with presumptive immune-mediated disease, and prednisone and tetracycline for the dogs with positive antibody titres to the Infectious organisms. Both dogs with evidence of associated infectious disease responded to treatment. A postmortem examination did not reveal the underlying aetiology in the two dogs with presumptive idiopathic immune-mediated disease.     

Assessment of the value of quantitative thyroid scintigraphy for determination of thyroid function in dogs

Objective : To assess the value of thyroid scintigraphy to determine thyroid status in dogs with hypothyroidism and various non‐thyroidal illnesses. Methods : Thyroid hormone concentrations were measured and quantitative thyroid scintigraphy performed in 21 dogs with clinical and/or clinicopathological features consistent with hypothyroidism. Results : In 14 dogs with technetium thyroidal uptake values consistent with euthyroidism, further investigations supported non‐thyroidal illness. In five dogs with technetium thyroidal uptake values within the hypothyroid range, primary hypothyroidism was confirmed as the only disease in four. The remaining dog had pituitary‐dependent hyperadrenocorticism. Two dogs had technetium thyroidal uptake values in the non‐diagnostic range. One dog had iodothyronine concentrations indicative of euthyroidism. In the other, a dog receiving glucocorticoid therapy, all iodothyronine concentrations were decreased. Markedly asymmetric technetium thyroidal uptake was present in two dogs. All iodothyronine concentrations were within reference interval but canine thyroid stimulating hormone concentration was elevated in one. Non‐thyroidal illness was identified in both cases. Clinical Significance : In dogs, technetium thyroidal uptake is a useful test to determine thyroid function. However, values may be non‐diagnostic, asymmetric uptake can occur and excess glucocorticoids may variably suppress technetium thyroidal uptake and/or thyroid hormone concentrations. Further studies are necessary to evaluate quantitative thyroid scintigraphy as a gold standard method for determining canine thyroid function.