Background
Approximately 75% of hyperthyroid cats lose muscle mass as accessed with a muscle condition scoring (MCS) system. After treatment, MCS improves as the cats regain muscle mass.
Objectives
...To quantify the degree of muscle loss in hyperthyroid cats using ultrasonography and evaluate changes in muscle mass after treatment.
Animals
Forty‐eight clinically normal cats and 120 cats with untreated hyperthyroidism, 75 of which were reevaluated after radioiodine‐131 therapy.
Methods
Prospective cross‐sectional and before‐after studies. All cats underwent ultrasonography and measurement of epaxial muscle height (EMH), with subsequent calculation of vertebral and forelimb epaxial muscle scores (VEMS and FLEMS). A subset of hyperthyroid cats underwent repeat muscle imaging 6 months after treatment.
Results
Untreated hyperthyroid cats had a lower EMH than did clinically normal cats (median 25th‐75th percentile, 0.98 0.88‐1.16 cm vs 1.34 1.23‐1.58 cm, P < .001). Seventy‐seven (64.2%) untreated cats had subnormal EMH. Similarly, compared to normal cats, hyperthyroid cats had lower VEMS (0.93 0.84‐1.07 vs 1.27 1.18‐1.39, P < .001) and FLEMS (1.24 1.10‐1.35 vs 1.49 1.39‐1.63, P < .001). After treatment, EMH increased (1.03 0.89‐1.03 cm to 1.33 1.17‐1.41 cm, P < .001), with abnormally low EMH normalizing in 36/41 (88%). Both VEMS (0.94 0.87‐1.10 to 1.21 1.10‐1.31, P < .001) and FLEMS (1.31 1.17‐1.40 to 1.47 1.38‐1.66, P < .001) also increased after treatment.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
Almost two‐thirds of hyperthyroid cats have abnormally low muscle mass when measured quantitatively by ultrasound. Successful treatment restores muscle mass in >85% of cats. EMH provided the best means of quantitating muscle mass in these cats.
This edited volume examines the performance of physicians, psychiatrists and other scientists as expert witnesses in modern European courts of law and police investigations. Its chapters discuss ...cases from criminal, civil and international law to parse the impact of forensic evidence and expertise in different European countries (Scotland, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Russia, Portugal, Norway and the Netherlands) in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. They show how modern forensic science and technology was inextricably entangled with political ideology, gender norms, changes in the law and legal systems. New scientific ideas and technology, such as blood tests and DNA, helped develop forensic science, but did not necessarily lead to a straightforward acceptance of expertise in the courtroom. Discussing fascinating case studies, the chapters in this book highlight how the ideology of authoritarian and liberal regimes affected the practical enactment of forensic expertise. They also emphasise the influence of images of masculinity and femininity on the performance of experts and their assessment of evidence, victims and perpetrators, for example in cases of rape, infanticide and crimes of passion. This book is an important contribution to our knowledge of modern European forensic practices, which, as several chapters underline, sometimes surprisingly diverge from institutional regulations.
Background
Hyperthyroid cats commonly have systemic hypertension, with a reported prevalence of 7% to 48%. Although hypertension might be expected to resolve once treatment restores euthyroidism, it ...can persist or only first develop after treatment.
Objectives
To determine the proportion of hyperthyroid cats with hypertension (systolic blood pressure SBP ≥160 mm Hg), persistence or first development of hypertension after successful radioiodine treatment, and correlation of post‐treatment hypertension with azotemia or hypothyroidism.
Animals
Four hundred one hyperthyroid nonazotemic cats were included in the study.
Methods
Prospective, cross‐sectional and before‐and‐after studies. All hyperthyroid cats had SBP measured by Doppler; 255 had SBP rechecked 6 months after successful radioiodine (131I) treatment.
Results
Of untreated hyperthyroid cats, 108/401 (27%) were hypertensive. A higher proportion of hypertensive cats were nervous/excited compared with normotensive cats (47% vs 12%; P < .001). Of the initially hypertensive cats, 87/108 cats were reexamined after 131I treatment; 43/87 (49%) cats normalized SBP, whereas 44/87 (51%) remained hypertensive. Of the initially normotensive cats, 16/168 (9.5%) first developed hypertension after successful 131I treatment. 7/60 (12%) of the 131I‐treated hypertensive cats were azotemic and 9/60 (15%) were hypothyroid. A higher proportion of cats remaining hypertensive had nervous/excited demeanor than did normotensive cats (50% vs 17%; P < .001).
Conclusions/Clinical Importance
Hypertension, when present, resolves in many hyperthyroid cats after successful treatment. Hyperthyroid cats uncommonly develop new hypertension after treatment. Persistent or newly detected hypertension was unrelated to azotemia or iatrogenic hypothyroidism. More frequently perceived nervousness/anxiety in radioiodine‐treated hypertensive cats suggests that many of these cats might have “situational” hypertension, as hyperthyroid‐induced hypertension should resolve after treatment.
Objectives
Although radioiodine (131I) is the treatment of choice for feline hyperthyroidism, 131I-dosing protocols commonly induce iatrogenic hypothyroidism and expose azotaemia. A recently reported ...patient-specific 131I dosing algorithm minimised the risk of 131I-induced hypothyroidism and azotaemia, while maintaining high cure rates. The aim of the study was to report results of 131I treatment in a European population of hyperthyroid cats using this patient-specific dosing algorithm.
Methods
This prospective case series (before-and-after study) evaluated 165 hyperthyroid cats referred for 131I treatment. All cats had serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) measured (off methimazole ⩾1 week). Thyroid volume and percentage uptake of 99mTc-pertechnetate (TcTU) were determined using thyroid scintigraphy. An initial 131I dose was calculated by averaging dose scores for T4/T3 concentrations, thyroid volume and TcTU; 70% of that composite dose was then administered. Twenty-four hours later, percentage 131I uptake was measured, and additional 131I administered as needed to deliver an adequate radiation dose to the thyroid tumour(s). Serum concentrations of T4, TSH and creatinine were determined 6–12 months later.
Results
Median calculated 131I dose was 2.15 mCi (range 1.2–7.5), with only 51 (30.9%) receiving ⩾2.5 mCi. Of 165 cats, 124 (75.2%) became euthyroid, seven (4.2%) became overtly hypothyroid, 27 (16.4%) became subclinically hypothyroid and seven (4.2%) remained hyperthyroid. A higher proportion of overtly (85.7%) and subclinically (26.9%) hypothyroid cats developed azotaemia than euthyroid cats (13.6%; P = 0.0002). Hypothyroid cats were older (P = 0.016) and more likely to have detectable TSH concentrations (P = 0.025) and symmetrical bilateral distribution of 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake (P = 0.0002), whereas persistently hyperthyroid cats had higher severity scores (P = 0.012).
Conclusions and relevance
Our results confirm that 131I dosing with this new algorithm results in high cure rates, with a lowered prevalence of 131I-induced overt hypothyroidism and azotaemia. Age, serum TSH concentrations, bilateral, symmetrical uptake and severity score help predict outcome.
The postprandial state seems to have a direct influence on oxidative status and insulin resistance. We determined the effect of an increase in plasma triglycerides after a high‐fat meal on oxidative ...stress in severely obese patients with differing degrees of insulin resistance. The study was undertaken in 60 severely obese persons who received a 60‐g fat overload with a commercial preparation. Measurements were made of insulin resistance, the plasma activity of various antioxidant enzymes, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the plasma concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The patients with greater insulin resistance had a lower plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (P < 0.05) and a greater glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity (P < 0.05). The high‐fat meal caused a significant reduction in SOD activity and an increase in the plasma concentration of TBARS in all the patients. Only the patients with lower insulin resistance experienced a significant increase in plasma catalase activity (2.22 ± 1.02 vs. 2.93 ± 1.22 nmol/min/ml, P < 0.01), remaining stable in the patients with greater insulin resistance. These latter patients had a reduction in plasma TAC (6.92 ± 1.93 vs. 6.29 ± 1.80 mmol/l, P < 0.01). In conclusion, our results show a close association between the degree of insulin resistance and markers of oxidative stress, both before and after a high‐fat meal. The postprandial state causes an important increase in oxidative stress, especially in severely obese persons with greater insulin resistance. However, we are unable to determine from this study whether there is first an increase in oxidative stress or in insulin resistance.
Objective
This study aimed to analyze the potential association of different microRNA (miRNA) molecules with both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity and determine their target genes.
Methods
...Quantitative PCR was used to analyze the miR‐20b, miR‐296, and Let‐7f levels in human visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (ATs) in relation to obesity and T2D, miRTarBase 4.0 was used for validation of target genes, and the Protein Analysis Through Evolutionary Relationships (PANTHER) Classification System and the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) were used to annotate the biological processes of the predicted targets.
Results
In AT, miR‐20b, miR‐296, and Let‐7f levels were significantly different between normoglycemic subjects and those with T2D. In visceral adipose tissue, miRNA levels were higher in normoglycemic/obesity samples than in T2D/obesity samples. miR‐20b‐miR‐296 and Let‐7f target genes that showed significant differences in both ATs in relation to obesity and T2D were CDKN1A, CX3CL1, HIF1A, PPP2R1B, STAT3, and VEGFA. These genes are known to be principally involved in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and WNT pathways.
Conclusions
This study provides experimental evidence of the possible correlation between AT miR‐20b‐miR‐296‐Let‐7f with obesity and T2D, which might involve vascular endothelial growth factor and WNT‐dependent pathways that are regulated by six different genes, suggesting a novel signaling pathway that could be important for understanding the mechanisms underlying the AT dysfunction associated with obesity and T2D.
Background and Aims
We aimed to assess the associations of exposure to air pollutants and standard and advanced lipoprotein measures, in a nationwide sample representative of the adult population of ...Spain.
Methods
We included 4647 adults (>18 years), participants in the national, cross‐sectional, population‐based di@bet.es study, conducted in 2008–2010. Standard lipid measurements were analysed on an Architect C8000 Analyzer (Abbott Laboratories SA). Lipoprotein analysis was made by an advanced 1H‐NMR lipoprotein test (Liposcale®). Participants were assigned air pollution concentrations for particulate matter <10 μm (PM10), <2.5 μm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), corresponding to the health examination year, obtained by modelling combined with measurements taken at air quality stations (CHIMERE chemistry‐transport model).
Results
In multivariate linear regression models, each IQR increase in PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with 3.3%, 3.3% and 3% lower levels of HDL‐c and 1.3%, 1.4% and 1.1% lower HDL particle (HDL‐p) concentrations (p < .001 for all associations). In multivariate logistic regression, there was a significant association between PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations and the odds of presenting low HDL‐c (<40 mg/dL), low HDL‐p (<p25) and higher LDL particle (LDL‐p) concentrations (≥p75). In subgroup analyses there were stronger associations between PM10 and NO2 and low HDL‐p in men (p for interaction .008 and .034), and between NO2 and low HDL‐p in individuals with obesity (p for interaction .015).
Conclusions
Our study shows an association between the exposure to air pollutants and blood lipids in the general population of Spain, suggesting a link to atherosclerosis.
In this national, cross‐sectional, population‐based study, carried out in the Spanish population, each IQR increase in PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with 3.3%, 3.3% and 3% lower levels of HDL‐c and 1.3%, 1.4% and 1.1% lower HDL particle (HDL‐p) concentrations (p < .001 for all associations). There was a significant association between PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations and the odds of presenting low HDL‐c (<40 mg/dL), low HDL‐p (<p25) and higher LDL particle (LDL‐p) concentrations (≥p75).
Exposure to air particulate matter has been linked with hypertension and blood pressure levels. The metabolic risks of air pollution could vary according to the specific characteristics of each area, ...and has not been sufficiently evaluated in Spain. We analyzed 1103 individuals, participants in a Spanish nationwide population based cohort study (di@bet.es), who were free of hypertension at baseline (2008-2010) and completed a follow-up exam of the cohort (2016-2017). Cohort participants were assigned air pollution concentrations for particulate matter < 10 μm (PM
) and < 2.5 μm (PM
) during follow-up (2008-2016) obtained through modeling combined with measurements taken at air quality stations (CHIMERE chemistry-transport model). Mean and SD concentrations of PM
and PM
were 20.17 ± 3.91 μg/m
and 10.83 ± 2.08 μg/m
respectively. During follow-up 282 cases of incident hypertension were recorded. In the fully adjusted model, compared with the lowest quartile of PM
the multivariate weighted ORs (95% CIs) for developing hypertension with increasing PM
exposures were 0.82 (0.59-1.14), 1.28 (0.93-1.78) and 1.45 (1.05-2.01) in quartile 2, 3 and 4 respectively (p for a trend of 0.003). The corresponding weighted ORs according to PM
exposures were 0.80 (0.57-1.13), 1.11 (0.80-1.53) and 1.48 (1.09-2.00) (p for trend 0.004). For each 5-μg/m
increment in PM
and PM
concentrations, the odds for incident hypertension increased 1.22 (1.06-1.41) p = 0.007 and 1.39 (1.07-1.81) p = 0.02 respectively. In conclusion, our study contributes to assessing the impact of particulate pollution on the incidence of hypertension in Spain, reinforcing the need for improving air quality as much as possible in order to decrease the risk of cardiometabolic disease in the population.
The hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, particularly glucocorticoids (GCs), play a critical role in the behavioral and physiological consequences of exposure to stress. For ...this reason, numerous studies have described differences in HPA function between different rodent strains/lines obtained by genetic selection of certain characteristics not directly related to the HPA axis. These studies have demonstrated a complex and poorly understood relationship between HPA function and certain relevant behavioral characteristics. The present review first remarks important methodological considerations regarding the evaluation and interpretation of resting and stress levels of HPA hormones. Then, it presents works in which differences in HPA function between Lewis and Fischer rats were explored as a model for how to approach other strain comparisons. After that, differences in the HPA axis between classical strain pairs (e.g. High and Low anxiety rats, Roman high- and low-avoidance, Wistar Kyoto versus Spontaneously Hypertensive or other strains, Flinder Sensitive and Flinder Resistant lines) are described. Finally, after discussing the relationship between HPA differences and relevant behavioral traits (anxiety-like and depression-like behavior and coping style), an example for main methodological and interpretative concerns and how to test strain differences is offered.
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