Concentrations of thyroid hormones and iodothyronine binding proteins in serum of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Objective To examine circulating total and free thyroid hormone (T₃ and T₄) concentrations, determine serum iodothyronine binding characteristics and estimate thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) activity in sera of coastal and inland koalas.
Design A prospective study.
Procedure Koala serum T₃ and T₄ were measured by radioimmunoassay. T₄ binding parameters were determined by radioligand binding and electrophoresis. Koala TSH values were determined by bioassay.
Results Mean total T₄ concentrations were 3.2 ± 2.1 nM although values were significantly higher in inland-dwelling females in comparison to coastal-dwelling males. Free T₄ was 3.3 ± 2.1 pM. Total and free T₃ were 0.4 ± 0.2 nM and 1.4 ± 0.9 pM respectively, although these values were at the lower end of the assay detection limit and should be viewed with reservation. Electrophoresis of [¹²⁵I]-T₄-labelled serum revealed only two proteins of electrophoretic mobility similar to human transthyretin (TTR) and albumin. Scatchard analysis of T₄ binding to serum gave a curvilinear plot, which could be resolved into two binding sites with affinities identical to that of TTR and albumin but both of low concentration. The bioactivity of the TSH present in the sera was measured using a cell line (JP09) transfected with the human TSH receptor. The mean level of stimulation found in the sera corresponded to a bovine TSH activity of less than 10 mU/L.
Conclusion These results suggest that the serum concentrations of free and total thyroid hormones in koalas are low compared to other marsupials and very low compared to eutherian mammals. The mechanism of maintenance of euthyroidism in this species remains to be determined.     

RADIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF PULMONARY FLUID CLEARANCE IN HEALTHY NEONATAL FOALS

We characterized the kinetics of postnatal equine lung using sequential thoracic radiography. The aim was to establish the earliest time when normal foals have clear, radiolucent lung fields, and to characterize the pattern of this clearance. Both right-to-left and left-to-right thoracic radiographs were acquired in lateral recumbency at peak inspiration within the first 30 min after birth and thereafter at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Radiographs were interpreted by three observers. The overall assessment of radiographic lung clearance was followed by the evaluation of individual lung quadrants to document changes in pulmonary radiographic patterns over time. We concluded that thoracic images in a healthy foal older than 4 h should be characterized by clear lungfields and that after this time distinctions between physiologic and pathologic conditions can be made. The ventral lung cleared first, presumably due to the greater flexibility of the thoracic wall in this anatomic region.     

水库淹没土壤中磷浸出的模拟实验研究

水库建成蓄水后,库底土壤中磷的浸出会对库水水质产生一定影响。以南水北调中线工程的调蓄水库——瀑河水库为例,在现场调查基础上,使用蒸馏水和不同组分的3种模拟水分别进行模拟实验,考察库水中总磷与钙离子浓度对土壤中磷浸出的影响。实验结果表明,蒸馏水与模拟水中总磷浓度均发生一定程度的变化,模拟水中的浓度变化比蒸馏水中的变化复杂;模拟水中总磷或钙离子浓度较高时,土壤中磷的浸出量较少,对库水水质未产生明显不良影响。     

MYELOGRAPHY VS. COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN THE EVALUATION OF ACUTE THORACOLUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISK EXTRUSION IN CHONDRODYSTROPHIC DOGS

Myelography and/or computed tomography (CT) are commonly used to evaluate acute intervertebral disk extrusion in chondrodystrophic dogs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of myelography and two different CT protocols in determining level and lateralization of acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion in comparison with surgical findings, investigate interobserver variability, and determine examination duration times. Results of conventional CT, helical CT, and myelography were compared with surgical findings in 19 chondrodystrophic dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion. Agreement among investigators was determined for different imaging modalities, and examination times were recorded. In the diagnosis of level of disk extrusion there was agreement of myelography, conventional CT, and helical CT with surgical findings in 94.7%, 100%, and 94.7% of dogs, respectively ( P =0.144). In the diagnosis of level and lateralization of disk extrusion there was agreement of myelography, conventional CT, and helical CT with surgical findings in 78.9%, 87.4%, and 85.3% of dogs, respectively ( P =0.328). Interobserver agreement was very good for all imaging modalities (myelography κ=0.87; conventional CT κ=0.86; helical CT κ=0.95). There were significant differences in median examination duration times between helical CT (4 min), conventional CT (8 min), and myelography (32 min) ( P <0.001). Both helical and conventional CT appear to be accurate for evaluation of acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion in chondrodystrophic dogs and are faster to perform than myelography.     

DYNAMIC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY TO MEASURE TISSUE PERFUSION IN SPONTANEOUS CANINE TUMORS

Dynamic computed tomography (CT) is widely used in humans to determine tumor perfusion via time–attenuation curves. Five types of time–attenuation curves have been identified and shown to have prognostic relevance in humans. The goal of our study was to assess the feasibility of this technology in spontaneous canine tumors and to determine time–attenuation curves and perfusion patterns in different tumor types. Thirty-one dogs with tumors accessible for biopsy were evaluated (15 carcinomas, 16 sarcomas). Dynamic CT was performed at the level of the largest tumor cross-section. Time–attenuation curves were calculated and ratios from the tumor to a contralateral artery were derived for wash-in, peak attenuation, time to peak attenuation, wash-out, and perfusion. Median perfusion was significantly higher and median time to peak ratio was significantly shorter in carcinomas and bone sarcomas compared with soft tissue sarcomas ( P =0.03 and 0.01). There was a trend of lower median upslope and wash-out ratio in soft tissue sarcomas in comparison with carcinomas ( P =0.06 and 0.09). Although peak ratio was lowest in soft tissue sarcomas, differences were not significant ( P =0.3). The most common type of time–attenuation curve for all tumors had a slow to moderately rapid wash-in with a low to moderate attenuation peak followed by a plateau phase. In conclusion, dynamic CT is feasible and time-activity curve-derived measurements differed between spontaneous canine tumors. More data has to be collected in a larger number of patients and correlated with response to treatment and outcome.     

PATHOLOGIC CORRELATION OF RESISTIVE AND PULSATILITY INDICES IN CANINE ABDOMINAL LYMPH NODES

We assessed the ability of the resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) to allow differentiation between normal, reactive, and neoplastic lymph nodes. Forty-seven medial iliac and 54 mesenteric lymph nodes from 83 dogs were evaluated sonographically. A cytologic sample was obtained in each dog that allowed categorization into one of the categories defined above. We found a significant difference in the RI and PI in nonneoplastic vs. neoplastic medial iliac and mesenteric lymph nodes. Values higher than 0.67 for the RI and 1.02 for the PI in medial iliac lymph nodes and higher than 0.76 for the RI and 1.23 for the PI in mesenteric lymph nodes had a high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating benign from neoplastic lymph nodes.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF ORBITAL INFLAMMATION WITH INTRACRANIAL EXTENSION IN FOUR DOGS

This retrospective study describes the clinical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of chronic orbital inflammation with intracranial extension in four dogs (two Dachshunds, one Labrador, one Swiss Mountain). Intracranial extension was observed through the optic canal (n=1), the orbital fissure (n=4), and the alar canal (n=1). On T1-weighted images structures within the affected skull foramina could not be clearly differentiated, but were all collectively isointense to hypointense compared with the contralateral, unaffected side, or compared with gray matter. On T2-, short tau inversion recovery (STIR)-, or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)-weighted images structures within the affected skull foramina appeared hyperintense compared with gray matter, and extended with increased signal into the rostral cranial fossa (n=1) and middle cranial fossa (n=4). Contrast enhancement at the level of the affected skul foramina as well as at the skull base in continuity with the orbital fissure was observed in all patients. Brain edema or definite meningeal enhancement could not be observed, but a close anatomic relationship of the abnormal tissue to the cavernous sinus was seen in two patients. Diagnosis was confirmed in three dogs (one cytology, two biopsy, one necropsy) and was presumptive in one based on clinical improvement after treatment. This study is limited by its small sample size, but provides evidence for a potential risk of intracranial extension of chronic orbital inflammation. This condition can be identified best by abnormal signal increase at the orbital fissure on transverse T2-weighted images, on dorsal STIR images, or on postcontrast transverse or dorsal images.     

Fragmented Coronoid Process and Incomplete Ossification of the Humeral Condyle in a Rottweiler

Objective —To describe incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle and fragmentation of the medial coronoid process in a Rottweiler.
Study Design —Clinical report.
Animal Population —A 4-year-old sexually intact male Rottweiler.
Methods —Physical examination, radiography, and computed tomography of both elbow joints were performed initially. Drill holes were made across the humeral condyle to promote ossification. Radiography and computed tomography were repeated 14 weeks later. Radiography was repeated 15 months later. A mild, intermittent lameness remained.
Results —Preoperatively a radiolucent line was present across the right humeral condyle. This radiolucent line remained unchanged 14 weeks after drill holes were made across the condyle.
Conclusions —Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle is present in Rottweilers.
Clinical Relevance —Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle is present in Rottweilers and may coexist with fragmentation of the medial coronoid process in that breed. The radiographic diagnosis may be difficult because precise positioning is required to see the area of incomplete ossification. Computed tomography may be required to confirm the presence of incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle. Drilling holes across the humeral condyle does not appear to lead to union of the area of incomplete ossification.     

甘蓝型油菜种子和角果皮中硫苷含量的动态变化及转录组关联分析

【目的】探索甘蓝型油菜不同发育时期种子和角果皮硫苷含量的动态变化规律,通过转录组关联分析解析控制硫苷含量变异的遗传机制。【方法】在由113个油菜品种构成的自然群体中,利用高效液相色谱法检测不同发育时期油菜种子及角果皮中的硫苷含量。提取油菜幼嫩叶片mRNA并进行mRNA-Seq测序,开发了355 536个单核苷酸多态性标记（SNP）和116 098个基因表达量标记（GEM）。将开发的SNPs和GEMs分别导入到混合线性模型（MLM）和回归分析模型中进行关联分析,获得与油菜硫苷表型变异显著相关的遗传位点,进一步通过序列比对和功能预测筛选确定候选基因。【结果】授粉后15 d（15 DAP）,油菜种子和角果皮的硫苷含量变异范围分别是1.69-20.45和1.47-25.23 μmol·g^-1。25 DAP种子、25 DAP角果皮以及成熟种子的硫苷变异范围分别是2.17-147.21、0.73-130.77和8.87-111.83 μmol·g^-1。后两个时期（即25 DAP和成熟期）的硫苷含量表现出较大变异,适合进行转录组关联分析。基于mRNA-Seq测序数据,经质量控制后获得256 397个高质量的SNP标记（MAF＞0.01）和53 889个GEM标记（平均基因表达量＞0.4）。利用SNP标记对成熟种子、25 DAP种子和25 DAP角果皮硫苷含量进行关联分析,分别检测到167、158和3个显著关联位点（-log₁₀P＞6.71）。其中,与成熟种子显著关联的SNP标记形成5个明显的关联峰,分别位于A2、A9、C2、C7和C9染色体上。同时,利用GEM标记进行的关联分析中,分别检测到127、16和24个与成熟种子、25 DAP种子、25 DAP角果皮硫苷含量显著关联的位点（-log₁₀P＞6.03）,这些位点主要分布在A2、A8、A9、C2和C9染色体上并形成明显的关联峰。其中,成熟种子和25 DAP角果皮在A9、C2和C9染色体上形成共同的关联峰。通过与公共数据库的基因组序列比对和功能注释,共筛选到295个功能基因,其中25个基因涉及硫苷代谢网路途径,直接参与硫苷的调控。其余基因虽然没有直接参与硫苷代谢过程,但是它们大多属于转录因子基因、刺激响应因子基因,涉及细胞过程或是具有催化活性,因而推测在硫苷积累中同样起到重要作用。【结论】油菜角果皮中的硫苷含量较高,而且与种子硫苷含量显著正相关,是硫苷合成或转运的重要器官。共检测到328个SNP显著标记和144个GEM显著标记,筛选到25个与硫苷合成或者转运有关的功能基因以及73个功能未知的新基因。     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC OBSERVATION OF SECRETIN-INDUCED PANCREATIC DUCT DILATION IN HEALTHY CATS

Secretin is a polypeptide hormone that stimulates secretion of bicarbonate from the exocrine pancreas and, in healthy human subjects, causes transient pancreatic duct dilation observable sonographically. In humans with chronic pancreatitis, secretin administration fails to cause pancreatic duct dilation, theoretically due to the restrictive effects of periductal fibrosis. We characterized the effect of exogenous secretin administration on the width of the pancreatic duct in nine healthy domestic cats. Cats were given a commercially available secretin product (ChiRho Stim™) while the pancreatic duct was monitored sonographically. Mean pancreatic duct diameter increased from 0.77±0.33 to 1.42±0.40 mm after secretin administration ( P =0.0017). The mean percent increase in pancreatic duct diameter over basal diameter for all time points up to 15 min postsecretin administration was 101.9±58.8%. Applicability of this technique to diagnose chronic pancreatitis in cats will need to be investigated.