Prevalence of polycystic kidney disease in Persian and Persian related-cats referred to Small Animal Hospital, University of Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most prevalent inherited genetic disease of cats, predominantly affecting Persians and Persian-related cats. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in Persian cats in Iran, and also to assess the relationships between PKD and gender, age as well as clinical and paracilinical manifestations. METHODS: Sonographic screening examination was performed on all healthy and unhealthy Persian and Persian-related cats referred to Small Animal Hospital of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, from April 2014 to May 2015. Cats were classified as positive when at least one anechoic cavity was found in at least one kidney. RESULTS: Of 76 Persian and Persian-related cats submitted for PKD ultrasound screening, 36.8% were found to have the disease and 63.2% were negative. Therefore, the prevalence of PKD was estimated 36.8% in Persian and Persian related cats in Tehran, Iran, which is approximately similar to prevalence in other parts of the world. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between PKD and age, as in affected cats the detection probability of renal cysts in sonography was increased in older animals. For each year increase in age, the detection probability of PKD in sonography was increased about 2.62 times. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the PKD amongst Persian cats in Iran is relatively high, and insufficient attention to incidence and prevalence of PKD especially in breeding programs, would spread the disease throughout in Persian cats.

On a new three-step class of methods and its acceleration for nonlinear equations.

A class of derivative-free methods without memory for approximating a simple zero of a nonlinear equation is presented. The proposed class uses four function evaluations per iteration with convergence order eight. Therefore, it is an optimal three-step scheme without memory based on Kung-Traub conjecture. Moreover, the proposed class has an accelerator parameter with the property that it can increase the convergence rate from eight to twelve without any new functional evaluations. Thus, we construct a with memory method that increases considerably efficiency index from 8(1/4) ≈ 1.681 to 12(1/4) ≈ 1.861. Illustrations are also included to support the underlying theory.

Neuropeptide Y-induced feeding is dependent on GABAA receptors in neonatal chicks.

In mammals and birds, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are found in brain areas known to be involved in the control of ingestive behavior and act to increase voluntary food intake. In rats, significant evidence suggest a functional and behavioral interaction between NPY and GABA mediated transmission in various brain regions, including the arcuate and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus which can be important in the regulation of feeding behavior. In the present study, the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of NPY and GABA receptor antagonists on food intake was examined in neonatal chicks. The ICV injection of NPY strongly stimulated food intake while co-administration of NPY and picrotoxin, a GABA(A) antagonist, (but not CGP54626, a GABA(B) antagonist) weakened food intake induced by NPY. These results suggest that central NPY stimulates food intake in neonatal chicks by interaction with the GABAergic system via GABA(A) receptors.

Pulmonary embolism following anticoagulation therapy.

Five patients with traumatic spinal injury received a course of oral anticoagulant therapy with warfarin, heparin, or phenindione for 90 days following injury. These patients, on discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy, developed pulmonary embolus; two of these were confirmed by ventilation perfusion lung scintigraphy, and two were confirmed at post-mortem. The reasons for this are discussed, in particular the importance of delayed anticoagulation, obesity, operations, and mobilization in wheelchairs. The implications for further treatment are discussed.

Stabilisation of the spine affected by malignancy.

A technique for securely stabilising the spine affected by malignancy has been developed. It provides excellent pain relief and some improvement of neurological deficit, and allows of laminectomy and radiotherapy. Although the technique is relatively simple, and the materials used are commonplace and inexpensive, it needs to be learnt which may mean that surgery for spinal malignancy will need the service of a trained surgeon, rather than that of an initiate.