Changes in Climate Extremes over North Thailand, 1960–2099

This study analyzes 24 climate extreme indices over North Thailand using observed data for daily maximum and minimum temperatures and total daily rainfall for the 1960–2010 period, and HadCM3 Global Climate Model (GCM) and PRECIS Regional Climate Model simulated data for the 1960–2100 period. A statistical downscaling tool is employed to downscale GCM outputs. Variations in and trends of historical and future climates are identified using the nonparametric Mann-Kendall trend test and Sen’s slope. Temperature extreme indices showed a significant rising trend during the observed period and are expected to increase significantly with an increase in summer days and tropical nights in the future. A notable decline in the number of cool days and nights is also expected in the study area while the number of warm days and nights is expected to increase. There was an insignificant decrease in total annual rainfall, number of days with rainfall more than 10 and 20 mm. However, the annual rainfall is projected to increase by 9.65% in the future 2011–2099 period compared to the observed 1960–2010 period.

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Ahead of print: Laparoscopy for the treatment of ovarian remnant syndrome in four dogs and two cats

Objective: To describe the clinical workup and laparoscopic treatment of ovarian remnant syndrome in dogs and cats. Material and methods: After confirming the diagnosis with some or all of the following tests – vaginoscopy with cytology, hormonal tests, and ultrasound – laparoscopic removal of the ovarian remnants was performed. A three-portal technique was used in the four dogs and a two-portal technique in the two cats. Results: All patients recovered well and were discharged the same day. No post-operative complications occurred in any patient. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Overall, in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon, laparoscopic removal of ovarian remnants appears to be a safe procedure in dogs and cats. In addition, laparoscopy offers the advantages of excellent visualization and a reduced morbidity for the patient. Careful case selection and complete pre-operative workup to rule out co-morbidities or underlying neoplasia are important. As with any laparoscopy the surgeon should always be prepared to convert to an open laparotomy if necessary....

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Ahead of print: Prävalenz und Risikofaktoren der felinen Hyperthyreose in einer Klinikpopulation ...

Ziel: Die feline Hyperthyreose ist eine häufige Endokrinopathie bei älteren Katzen. In früheren Studien wurden unausgewogene Ernährung, Schilddrüsen-Disruptoren, hohes Alter sowie fehlende Reinrassigkeit als Risikofaktoren diskutiert, ein endgültiger Auslöser bleibt jedoch unbekannt. Die Ziele dieser prospektiven Studie waren a) die Berechnung der Klinikprävalenz in einer Katzenpopulation in Süddeutschland, b) die Feststellung, wie häufig die Diagnose nach dem klinischem Verdacht bestätigt wurde und c) die Auswertung mutmaßlicher in- und extrinsischer Risikofaktoren anhand des Signalements der Katzen und eines Fragebogens. Methoden: Gesamt-Thyroxin (T4) wurde im Serum von 495 Katzen ≥ 8 Jahre gemessen und die Prävalenz mit einem 95%-Konfidenzintervall (95%-KI) berechnet. Abhängigkeiten zwischen Signalement und Hyperthyreose wurden durch den Student-T-Test, Chi-Square-Test und den Mann-Whitney U-Test analysiert. Das Signifikanzniveau lag bei 0,05. Zur Ermittlung extrinsischer Risikofaktoren diente ein logistisches Regressionsmodell. Ergebnisse: Bei 61 Katzen wurde eine Hyperthyreose diagnostiziert, was eine Prävalenz von 12,3% ergibt (95%-KI: 9,7–15,5). Ältere (p < 0,001) weibliche Katzen (p = 0,019; Odds Ratio 1,9) waren signifikant häufiger betroffen. Hauskatzen (Europäisch Kurz- und Langhaarkatzen) erkrankten häufiger als Rassekatzen (p = 0,016). Bei 164 Katzen wurde die Verdachtsdiagnose Hyperthyreose gestellt und in 20,1% (33/164) der Fälle verifiziert. In 2,4% (12/495) der Fälle war die erhöhte T4-Konzentration ein Zufallsbefund. Hyperthyreote Katzen wurden häufiger mit Nassfutter aus Aluminiumschalen (p < 0,013) gefüttert als nichthyperthyreote Katzen. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Ältere, weibliche Hauskatzen sind prädisponiert, an einer Schilddrüsenüberfunktion zu erkranken. Die Diagnose lässt sich häufig nach initialem klinischem Verdacht stellen, woraus in der Studienpopulation eine Prävalenz von 12,3% resultierte. Rückstände aus Aluminiumschalen oder das Nassfutter selbst scheinen eine Rolle in der Ätiopathogenese zu spielen....

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Tumore della laringe: microchirurgia con laser ad anidride carbonica - Corriere della Sera

Corriere della Sera

Tumore della laringe: microchirurgia con laser ad anidride carbonica Corriere della Sera «Nell'area testa-collo risiedono funzioni vitali non solo per la nostra sopravvivenza, come respirare e mangiare, ma anche per la nostra vita di relazione, come parlare o gustare - spiega Mohssen Ansarin, direttore del Programma Testa-Collo e Divisione ...

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IJERPH, Vol. 13, Pages 247: Heavy Metals in Surface Soils in the Upper Reaches of the Heihe River, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China

The upper reaches of the Heihe River have been regarded as a hotspot for phytoecology, climate change, water resources and hydrology studies. Due to the cold-arid climate, high elevation, remote location and poor traffic conditions, few studies focused on heavy metal contamination of soils have been conducted or reported in this region. In the present study, an investigation was performed to provide information regarding the concentration levels, sources, spatial distributions, and environmental risks of heavy metals in this area for the first time. Fifty-six surface soil samples collected from the study area were analyzed for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb concentrations, as well as TOC levels. Basic statistics, concentration comparisons, correlation coefficient analysis and multivariate analyses coupled with spatial distributions were utilized to delineate the features and the sources of different heavy metals. Risk assessments, including geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and potential ecological risk index, were also performed. The results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals have been increasing since the 1990s. The mean values of each metal are all above the average background values in the Qinghai Province, Tibet, China and the world, except for that of Cr. Of special note is the concentration of Cd, which is extremely elevated compared with all background values. The distinguished ore-forming conditions and well-preserved, widely distributed limestones likely contribute to the high Cd concentration. Heavy metals in surface soils in the study area are primarily inherited from parent materials. Nonetheless, anthropogenic activities may have accelerated the process of weathering. Cd presents a high background concentration level and poses a severe environmental risk throughout the whole region. Soils in Yinda, Reshui daban, Kekeli and Zamasheng in particular pose threats to the health of the local population, as well as that of livestock and wildlife.

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IJERPH, Vol. 13, Pages 246: Effects of in Utero Exposure to Dicyclohexyl Phthalate on Rat Fetal Leydig Cells

Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) is one of the phthalate plasticizers. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of DCHP on fetal Leydig cell distribution and function as well as testis development. Female pregnant Sprague Dawley dams orally received vehicle (corn oil, control) or DCHP (10, 100, and 500 mg/kg/day) from gestational day (GD) 12 to GD 21. At GD 21.5, testicular testosterone production, fetal Leydig cell number and distribution, testicular gene and protein expression levels were examined. DCHP administration produced a dose-dependent increase of the incidence of multinucleated gonocytes at ≥100 mg/kg. DCHP dose-dependently increased abnormal fetal Leydig cell aggregation and decreased fetal Leydig cell size, cytoplasmic size, and nuclear size at ≥10 mg/kg. DCHP reduced the expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes (including Star, Hsd3b1, and Hsd17b3) and testis-descent related gene Insl3 as well as protein levels of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (HSD3B1) and insulin-like 3 (INSL3) at ≥10 mg/kg. DCHP significantly inhibited testicular testosterone levels at ≥100 mg/kg. The results indicate that in utero exposure to DCHP affects the expression levels of fetal Leydig cell steroidogenic genes and results in the occurrence of multinucleated gonocytes and Leydig cell aggregation.

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Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return in an Elderly

Background. Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is an uncommon congenital abnormality, which may present in the adult population. It is often associated with sinus venosus defect (SVD). The diagnosis and therapy for this condition may be challenging. Case Presentation. We describe a case of an elderly woman who presented with NYHA Class IV dyspnea and was suspected to have symptomatic pulmonary hypertension. She was later found to have anomalous right upper pulmonary vein return to the superior vena cava and associated SVD with bidirectional shunting. Therapeutic options were discussed and medical management alone with aggressive diuresis and sildenafil was adopted. Follow-up visits revealed success in the planned medical therapy. Conclusions. PAPVR is a rare congenital condition that may present during late adulthood. The initial predominant left-to-right shunting associated with this anomaly may go undetected for years with the gradual development of pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure due to right heart volume overload. Awareness of the condition is important, as therapy is time-sensitive with early detection potentially leading to surgical therapy as a viable option.

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