Cardiac biomarkers in hyperthyroid cats.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthyroidism has substantial effects on the circulatory system. The cardiac biomarkers NT-proBNP and troponin I (cTNI) have proven useful in identifying cats with myocardial disease but have not been extensively investigated in hyperthyroidism. HYPOTHESIS: Plasma NT-proBNP and cTNI concentrations are higher in cats with primary myocardial disease than in cats with hyperthyroidism and higher in cats with hyperthyroidism than in healthy control cats. ANIMALS: Twenty-three hyperthyroid cats, 17 cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and 19 euthyroid, normotensive healthy cats ≥8 years of age. Fourteen of the hyperthyroid cats were re-evaluated 3 months after administration of radioiodine ((131)I). METHODS: Complete history, physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistries, urinalysis, blood pressure measurement, serum T4 concentration, plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP and cTNI, and echocardiogram were obtained prospectively from each cat. RESULTS: Hyperthyroid cats and cats with HCM had plasma NT-proBNP and cTNI concentrations that were significantly higher than those of healthy cats, but there was no significant difference between hyperthyroid cats and cats with HCM with respect to the concentration of either biomarker. In hyperthyroid cats that were re-evaluated 3 months after (131) I treatment, plasma NT-proBNP and cTNI concentrations as well as ventricular wall thickness had decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although there may be a role for NT-proBNP in monitoring the cardiac response to treatment of hyperthyroidism, neither NT-proBNP nor cTNI distinguish hypertrophy associated with hyperthyroidism from primary HCM. Therefore, the thyroid status of older cats should be ascertained before interpreting NT-proBNP and cTNI concentrations.

Milk fat synthesis in dairy cows is progressively reduced by increasing supplemental amounts of trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements containing a variety of isomers reduce milk fat yield. We have recently identified trans-10, cis-12 CLA as the isomer responsible for inhibiting milk fat synthesis in dairy cows. Our objectives were to determine milk fat yield and fatty acid composition responses to different doses of trans-10, cis-12 CLA. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 4) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of a 5-d abomasal infusion of four doses of trans-10, cis-12 CLA, i.e., 0.0, 3.5, 7.0 and 14.0 g/d. Milk fat yield was decreased 25, 33, and 50%, and milk fat concentration was reduced 24, 37 and 46% when cows received 3.5, 7.0 and 14.0 g/d of trans-10, cis-12 CLA, respectively. Feed intake, milk yield, and milk protein content and yield were unaffected by treatment. Milk fatty acid composition revealed that de novo synthesized fatty acids (short and medium chain) were extensively reduced when cows received the two highest doses, but at the low dose (3.5 g/d), decreases in de novo synthesized fatty acids and preformed fatty acids were similar. Changes in milk fatty acid composition also demonstrated that (9)-desaturase activity was inhibited at the two high doses of trans-10, cis-12 CLA, but was unaffected by the low dose. Results indicate minimal quantities of trans-10, cis-12 CLA (0.016% of dietary dry matter) markedly inhibited milk fat synthesis (25% reduction) and that a curvilinear reduction in milk fat yield occurred with increasing quantities of trans-10, cis-12 CLA.

Mental illness, loneliness and helplessness: a challenge for research and therapy.

The purpose of this article is: (1) To discuss the complex relationship between mental illness and the related factors of loneliness and helplessness, in a specific attempt to show why people with mental and/or emotional difficulties have a greater propensity for problems in these areas: (2) To challenge therapists, counselors, pastors, and community health professionals to become more holistic in their orientation towards their patients by giving special emphasis to interpersonal needs and personal responsibility over outcomes.