A survey-based assessment of risk factors for cross-sucking behaviors in neonatal kittens, Felis catus.

Cross-sucking, or non-nutritive sucking on the bodies of littermates, is commonly observed in early-weaned animals. This behavior has been well-documented in production animals, which are often separated from their mothers before weaning. The behavior is less well-understood in other domestic species, such as cats (Felis catus), that can be orphaned due to neglect, maternal death, or accidental separation. Anecdotally, cross-sucking can cause injuries in kittens, sometimes severe enough to warrant euthanasia. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed study of this behavior in domestic cats. We conducted a survey of caretakers (N = 407) of kittens (< 60 days old) with the goal of identifying characteristics of individual kittens, litters, the environment, and husbandry that might be associated with the presence of cross-sucking. The final data set, representing 1358 kittens, was comprised of 301 litters experiencing sucking and 106 litters not experiencing sucking behaviors. Almost all of the kittens represented in the survey (91%) were orphaned. Results suggested that being orphaned (X 2(1) = 42.64, p < 0.001), bottle-fed (X 2(2) = 40.32, p < 0.001), younger (t(405) = 3.48 p < 0.001), separated earlier from the mother (t(376) = 3.10, p = 0.002), and being in an all-male litter (X 2(2) = 7.13, p = 0.03) increased the risks of cross-sucking. Male kittens also were more likely to be recipients of sucking behavior (X 2(1) = 32.30, p < 0.001). No clear associations between the environment or husbandry practices and the presence of sucking behavior were identified. Interruption and separation were the most frequently reported management strategies, but most kittens returned to sucking behavior when reunited. Cross-sucking is a frequently reported behavior problem in orphaned kittens that may indicate distress or poor welfare. Future research should focus on a better understanding of prevention and management strategies, and determination of the effects, if any, of cross-sucking as a kitten on adult cat outcomes or behavior.

Autonomic neurophysiologic implications of disorders comorbid with bladder pain syndrome vs myofascial pelvic pain.

AIMS: The neuropathophysiology of a debilitating chronic urologic pain condition, bladder pain syndrome (BPS), remains unknown. Our recent data suggests withdrawal of cardiovagal modulation in subjects with BPS, in contrast to sympathetic nervous system dysfunction in another chronic pelvic pain syndrome, myofascial pelvic pain (MPP). We evaluated whether comorbid disorders differentially associated with BPS vs MPP shed additional light on these autonomic differences. METHODS: We compared the presence and relative time of onset of 27 other medical conditions in women with BPS, MPP, both syndromes, and healthy subjects. Analysis included an adjustment for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Among 107 female subjects (BPS alone = 32; BPS with MPP = 36; MPP alone = 9; healthy controls = 30), comorbidities differentially associated with BPS included irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia, and chronic nausea, whereas those associated with MPP included migraine headache and dyspepsia, consistent with the distinct autonomic neurophysiologic signatures of the two disorders. PTSD (earliest), anxiety, depression, migraine headache, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and IBS usually preceded BPS or MPP. PTSD and the presence of both pelvic pain disorders in the same subject correlated with significantly increased comorbid burden. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a distinct pattern of comorbid conditions in women with BPS. These findings further support our hypothesis of primary vagal defect in BPS as compared with primary sympathetic defect in MPP, suggesting a new model for chronic these pelvic pain syndromes. Chronologically, PTSD, migraine, dysmenorrhea, and IBS occurred early, supporting a role for PTSD or its trigger in the pathophysiology of chronic pelvic pain.

Responsiveness of cats (Felidae) to silver vine (Actinidia polygama), Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and catnip (Nepeta cataria).

BACKGROUND: Olfactory stimulation is an often overlooked method of environmental enrichment for cats in captivity. The best known example of olfactory enrichment is the use of catnip, a plant that can cause an apparently euphoric reaction in domestic cats and most of the Pantherinae. It has long been known that some domestic cats and most tigers do not respond to catnip. Although many anecdotes exist of other plants with similar effects, data are lacking about the number of cats that respond to these plants, and if cats that do not respond to catnip respond to any of them. Furthermore, much is still unknown about which chemicals in these plants cause this response. METHODS: We tested catnip, silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle and valerian root on 100 domestic cats and observed their response. Each cat was offered all four plant materials and a control, multiple times. Catnip and silver vine also were offered to nine tigers. The plant materials were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to quantify concentrations of compounds believed to exert stimulating effects on cats. RESULTS: Nearly all domestic cats responded positively to olfactory enrichment. In agreement with previous studies, one out of every three cats did not respond to catnip. Almost 80% of the domestic cats responded to silver vine and about 50% to Tatarian honeysuckle and valerian root. Although cats predominantly responded to fruit galls of the silver vine plant, some also responded positively to its wood. Of the cats that did not respond to catnip, almost 75% did respond to silver vine and about one out of three to Tatarian honeysuckle. Unlike domestic cats, tigers were either not interested in silver vine or responded disapprovingly. The amount of nepetalactone was highest in catnip and only present at marginal levels in the other plants. Silver vine contained the highest concentrations of all other compounds tested. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory enrichment for cats may have great potential. Silver vine powder from dried fruit galls and catnip were most popular among domestic cats. Silver vine and Tatarian honeysuckle appear to be good alternatives to catnip for domestic cats that do not respond to catnip.

A pilot study of health and wellness coaching for fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a health and wellness coaching (HWC)-based intervention for fibromyalgia (FM) would result in sustained improvements in health and quality of life, and reductions in health care utilization. METHODS: Nine female subjects meeting American College of Rheumatology criteria for a diagnosis of primary FM were studied. The HWC protocol had two components, which were delivered telephonically over a twelve-month period. First, each patient met individually with a coach during the 12 month study at the patient's preference of schedule and frequency (Range:22-32 × 45-min sessions). Coaches were health professionals trained in health and wellness coaching tasks, knowledge, and skills. Second, each patient participated in bimonthly (first six months) and monthly (second six months) group classes on self-coaching strategies during the 12 month study. Prior to the intervention, and after 6 months and 12 months of coaching, the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) was used to measure health and quality of life, and the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI) was used to measure pain intensity and interference with function. Total and rheumatology-related health encounters were documented using electronic medical records. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: All nine patients finished the HWC protocol. FIQR scores improved by 35 % (P = 0.001). BPI scores decreased by 32 % overall (P = 0.006), 31 % for severity (P = 0.02), and 44 % for interference (P = 0.006). Health care utilization declined by 86 % (P = 0.006) for total and 78 % (P < 0.0001) for rheumatology-related encounters. CONCLUSION: The HWC program added to standard FM therapy produced clinically significant improvements in quality of life measures (FIQR), pain (BPI), and marked reductions in health care utilization. Such improvements do not typically occur spontaneously in FM patients, suggesting that HWC deserves further consideration as an intervention for FM.

Effects of Chronic Pelvic Pain on Heart Rate Variability in Women.

PURPOSE: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and myofascial pelvic pain are frequently comorbid chronic pelvic pain disorders. Differences in bladder function between interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and myofascial pelvic pain suggest that efferent autonomic function may differentiate these syndromes. Heart rate variability, defined as the difference in duration of successive heartbeats, serves as an index of autonomic function by measuring its ability to modify heart rate in response to neurophysiological changes. High frequency heart rate variability was used as a reflection of more rapid vagally mediated (parasympathetic) changes. Low frequency heart rate variability signified slower fluctuations related to the baroreflex and sympathetic outflow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heart rate variability was derived by autoregressive frequency analysis of the continuous electrocardiogram recording of heart rate with the subject supine for 10 minutes, tilted 70 degrees with the head up for 30 minutes and supine again for 10 minutes. This institutional review board approved study included 105 female subjects, including 32 who were healthy, and 26 with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, 12 with myofascial pelvic pain and 35 with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome plus myofascial pelvic pain. RESULTS: In all positions healthy controls had higher high frequency heart rate variability than women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome plus myofascial pelvic pain. Subjects with myofascial pelvic pain were similar to controls with greater high frequency heart rate variability at baseline (supine 1) and in upright positions than subjects with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Differences in low frequency heart rate variability were less evident while low-to-high frequency ratio differences appeared to be driven by the high frequency heart rate variability component. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome had diminished vagal activity and a shift toward sympathetic nervous system dominance. Overall these data support the hypothesis that changes in autonomic function occur in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome but not in myofascial pelvic pain. These changes may result from interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome or contribute to its pathophysiology through abnormal self-regulatory function.

Abnormalities in Expression of Structural, Barrier and Differentiation Related Proteins, and Chondroitin Sulfate in Feline and Human Interstitial Cystitis.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the urothelium of cats diagnosed with feline interstitial cystitis to determine whether abnormalities in protein expression patterns could be detected and whether the expression pattern was similar to that in patients with human interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. The proteins analyzed are involved in cell adhesion and barrier function, comprise the glycosaminoglycan layer or are differentiation markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin fixed biopsies from 8 cats with feline interstitial cystitis and from 7 healthy control cats were labeled by immunohistochemistry and scored with a modified version of a system previously used for human samples. Cluster analysis was performed to investigate relationships between markers and samples. RESULTS: Of the feline interstitial cystitis bladders 89% showed abnormal protein expression and chondroitin sulfate patterns while only 27% of normal tissues showed slight abnormalities. Abnormalities were found in most feline interstitial cystitis samples, including biglycan in 87.5%, chondroitin sulfate, decorin, E-cadherin and keratin-20 in 100%, uroplakin in 50% and ZO-1 in 87.5%. In feline interstitial cystitis bladders about 75% of chondroitin sulfate, biglycan and decorin samples demonstrated absent luminal staining or no staining. Cluster analysis revealed that feline interstitial cystitis and normal samples could be clearly separated into 2 groups, showing that the urothelium of cats with feline interstitial cystitis is altered from normal urothelium. CONCLUSIONS: Feline interstitial cystitis produces changes in luminal glycosaminoglycan and several proteins similar to that in patients, suggesting some commonality in mechanism. Results support the use of feline interstitial cystitis as a model of human interstitial cystitis.

Relationship between muscle sympathetic nerve activity and aortic wave reflection characteristics in aerobic- and resistance-trained subjects.

PURPOSE: Increased arterial stiffness is associated with an impairment of ventricular-vascular coupling efficiency and increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Recently, it has been suggested that an increase in arterial stiffness is associated with resistance exercise training. Therefore, the aims of this study were to compare augmentation index (AIx) and left ventricular wasted pressure energy (LVEW) as markers of arterial stiffness and ventricular-vascular coupling efficiency in young aerobic-trained (AT) and resistance (RT)-trained subjects. We also investigated the relationship of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) to AIx in both sets of subjects to determine if endothelial function or sympathetic outflow could explain any differences in arterial stiffness. METHOD: To achieve our aims, we measured MSNA in 15 male subjects (8 RT, 7 AT) using microneurography. We also used applanation tonometry of the radial pressure waveform to noninvasively synthesize aortic pressure waveforms. FMD was calculated as percent dilation of the radial artery from baseline following a 5 min occlusion. RESULT: RT subjects had an increased AIx (12 ± 3 vs. -7 ± 2; P < 0.01), LVEW (429 ± 111 vs. -360 ± 77; P < 0.01) and MSNA burst incidence (34 ± 4 vs. 26 ± 4; P < 0.01) when compared with AT subjects. There was no difference in FMD between groups. MSNA burst incidence was also significantly related to AIx in subjects (R (2) = 0.61; P < 0.01) with a distinct demarcation between RT and AT subjects. CONCLUSION: These results confirm previous reports of a positive association between MSNA and AIx in young male resistance-trained subjects. Furthermore, RT is associated with increased arterial stiffness and elevated sympathetic outflow.

Interstitial cystitis-an imbalance of risk and protective factors?

Interstitial cystitis (IC) presents as a chronic pain condition with variable combinations of symptoms depending on the species and individual patient. It is diagnosed by the presence of lower urinary tract signs and symptoms in combination with a variety of comorbid health problems, a history of life adversities, and the absence of other conditions that could cause the lower urinary tract signs. IC occurs naturally in humans and cats as a dimensional condition, with patients presenting with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms. Most patients appear to recover without specific treatment. A number of rodent models of IC have been used to study its causes and treatments. Unfortunately, current therapies generally fail to ameliorate IC symptoms long-term. The recent classification of IC as a chronic primary pain disorder calls for a rethinking of current clinical and research approaches to it. Beginning when a patient encounters a clinician, precipitating, perpetuating, and palliating risk factors can be addressed until a cause or reliably effective therapy is identified, and identifying predisposing and preventive factors can inform epidemiological studies and health promotion interventions. Predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating risk factors, including environmental, psychological, and biological, increase the activity of the central threat response system (CTRS), which plays a clinically important role in IC symptoms. Studies in cats and rodent models have revealed that environmental enrichment (EE), in the absence of bladder-directed therapies, leads to amelioration of IC symptoms, implying a central role for the CTRS in symptom precipitation and perpetuation. Conceptually moving the source of IC pain to the brain as a motivational state rather than one resulting from peripheral nociceptive input offers both clinicians and researchers novel opportunities to improve care for patients with IC and for researchers to use more ecologically valid rodent models. It may even be that IC results from an excess of risk to protective factors, making this imbalance a targetable cause rather than a consequence of IC.

A bloodspot-based diagnostic test for fibromyalgia syndrome and related disorders.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a rapid biomarker-based method for diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) using mid-infrared microspectroscopy (IRMS) to differentiate patients with FM from those with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to identify molecular species associated with the spectral patterns. Under IRB approval, blood samples were collected from patients diagnosed with FM (n = 14), RA (n = 15), or OA (n = 12). Samples were prepared, placed onto a highly reflective slide, and spectra were collected using IRMS. Spectra were analyzed using multivariate statistical modeling to differentiate groups. Aliquots of samples also were subjected to metabolomic analysis. IRMS separated subjects into classes based on spectral information with no misclassifications among FM and RA or OA patients. Interclass distances of 15.4 (FM vs. RA), 14.7 (FM vs. OA) and 2.5 (RA vs. OA) among subjects, demonstrating the ability of IRMS to achieve reliable resolution of unique spectral patterns specific to FM. Metabolomic analysis revealed that RA and OA groups were metabolically similar, whereas biochemical differences were identified in the FM that were quite distinctive from those found in the other two groups. Both IRMS and metabolomic analysis identified changes in tryptophan catabolism pathway that differentiated patients with FM from those with RA or OA.

Urodynamic evaluation of female cats with idiopathic cystitis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare values of urodynamic measurements of cats with idiopathic cystitis (IC) with previously published data for healthy female cats. ANIMALS: 11 female cats with IC. PROCEDURES: 2 sequential cystometrograms and 2 urethral pressure profiles were obtained for each cat. All tracings were evaluated for evidence of overactive urinary bladder (OAB). Maximum urethral pressure (MUP), maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP), and functional profile length were recorded. RESULTS: Only 3 cats had obvious micturition events. None of the 11 cats had evidence of OAB. Although not significant, threshold pressure was lower in cats with IC than in healthy cats (mean ± SD, 89.0 ± 12.0 cm H(2)O vs 75.7 ± 16.3 cm H(2)O, respectively); however, the total volume infused was significantly lower in cats with IC (4.8 ± 2.1 mL/kg vs 8.3 ± 3.2 mL/kg). The MUCP was significantly higher in cats with IC than in healthy cats (158.0 ± 47.7 cm H(2)O vs 88.9 ± 23.9 cm H(2)O, respectively). The MUP was also significantly higher in all portions of the urethra in cats with IC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: No evidence of OAB was identified in any cat evaluated; therefore, medications used to target this abnormality did not appear justified. The high MUCP in cats with IC suggested that α(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists or skeletal muscle relaxants may be useful in this disease, and if these data were applicable to male cats, then α(1)-adrenoceptor antagonism may help prevent recurrent obstructive IC. Further studies are indicated to determine the effects, if any, these drugs might have in cats with IC.

Sickness behaviors in response to unusual external events in healthy cats and cats with feline interstitial cystitis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare sickness behaviors (SB) in response to unusual external events (UEE) in healthy cats with those of cats with feline interstitial cystitis (FIC). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 12 healthy cats and 20 donated cats with FIC. PROCEDURES: Cats were housed in a vivarium. Sickness behaviors referable to the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, the skin, and behavior problems were recorded by a single observer for 77 weeks. Instances of UEE (eg, changes in caretakers, vivarium routine, and lack of interaction with the investigator) were identified during 11 of the 77 weeks. No instances of UEE were identified during the remaining 66 weeks, which were considered control weeks. RESULTS: An increase in age and exposure to UEE, but not disease status, significantly increased total number of SB when results were controlled for other factors. Evaluation of individual SB revealed a protective effect of food intake for healthy males. An increase in age conferred a small increase in relative risk (RR) for upper gastrointestinal tract signs (RR, 1.2) and avoidance behavior (1.7). Exposure to UEE significantly increased the RR for decreases in food intake (RR, 9.3) and for no eliminations in 24 hours (6.4). Exposure to UEE significantly increased the RR for defecation (RR, 9.8) and urination (1.6) outside the litter box. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SB, including some of the most commonly observed abnormalities in client-owned cats, were observed after exposure to UEE in both groups. Because healthy cats and cats with FIC were comparably affected by UEE, clinicians should consider the possibility of exposure to UEE in cats evaluated for these signs.

Early maternal separation is not associated with changes in telomere length in domestic kittens (Felis catus).

OBJECTIVE: Studies of multiple species have found that adverse early life experiences, including childhood trauma and maternal separation, can result in accelerated telomere shortening. The objective of this study was to determine if premature separation from the mother affected telomere length in domestic kittens (Felis catus). Subjects were 42 orphaned kittens and 10 mother-reared kittens from local animal rescue groups and shelters. DNA was extracted from whole blood collected from kittens at approximately 1 week and 2 months of age. Telomere length was assessed by qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) from a total of 86 samples and expressed as a ratio of telomere PCR relative to a single copy gene PCR (T/S). RESULTS: A generalized linear mixed model found there were no detectable differences in telomere length based on survival (F 1, 76.2 = 3.35, p = 0.07), orphan status (F 1, 56.5 = 0.44, p = 0.51), time point (F 1, 43.5 = 0.19, p = 0.67), or the interaction between orphan status and time (F 1, 43.5 = 0.86, p = 0.36). Although in other species telomere shortening is commonly associated with aging, even early in life, we did not find evidence for telomere shortening by two months of age. Our results suggest that the experience of early maternal separation in domestic cats who are subsequently hand-reared by humans does not accelerate telomere shortening compared to mother-reared kittens, at least in the first few months of life.

A protocol for managing urethral obstruction in male cats without urethral catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: To determine efficacy of a protocol for managing urethral obstruction (UO) in male cats without urethral catheterization. DESIGN: Clinical trial. ANIMALS: 15 male cats with UO in which conventional treatment had been declined. PROCEDURES: Laboratory testing and abdominal radiography were performed, and cats with severe metabolic derangements or urinary calculi were excluded. Treatment included administration of acepromazine (0.25 mg, IM, or 2.5 mg, PO, q 8 h), buprenorphine (0.075 mg, PO, q 8 h), and medetomidine (0.1 mg, IM, q 24 h) and decompressive cystocentesis and SC administration of fluids as needed. Cats were placed in a quiet, dark environment to minimize stress. Treatment success was defined as spontaneous urination within 72 hours and subsequent discharge from the hospital. RESULTS: Treatment was successful in 11 of the 15 cats. In the remaining 4 cats, treatment was considered to have failed because of development of uroabdomen (n=3) or hemoabdomen (1). Cats in which treatment failed had significantly higher serum creatinine concentrations than did cats in which treatment was successful. Necropsy was performed on 3 cats in which treatment had failed. All 3 had severe inflammatory disease of the urinary bladder, but none had evidence of bladder rupture. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that in male cats, a combination of pharmacological treatment, decompressive cystocentesis, and a low-stress environment may allow for resolution of UO without the need for urethral catheterization. This low-cost protocol could serve as an alternative to euthanasia when financial constraints prevent more extensive treatment.

Stress and Feline Health.

In the health sciences, stress often is defined in terms of stressors; events that are perceived as threats to one's perception of control. From this perspective, a stressor is anything that activates the central threat response system (CTRS). Recent research shows that the CTRS can be sensitized to environmental events through epigenetic modulation of gene expression. When CTRS activation is chronic, health and welfare may be harmed. Environmental modification can mitigate the harmful effects of chronic CTRS activation by reducing the individual's perception of threat and increasing its perception of control, which improves health and welfare.

Increased startle responses in interstitial cystitis: evidence for central hyperresponsiveness to visceral related threat.

PURPOSE: Hypersensitivity to visceral stimuli in interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome may result from enhanced responsiveness of affective circuits (including the amygdala complex) and associated central pain amplification. Potentiation of the eyeblink startle reflex under threat is mediated by output from the amygdala complex and, therefore, represents a noninvasive marker to study group differences in responsiveness in this brain circuit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acoustic startle responses were examined in female patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (13) and healthy controls (16) during context threat (application of muscle stimulation electrodes to the lower abdomen overlying the bladder), and cued conditions for safety (no stimulation possible), anticipation and imminent threat of aversive abdominal stimulation over the bladder. RESULTS: Patients showed significantly greater startle responses during nonimminent threat conditions (baseline, safe and anticipation periods) while both groups showed similar robust startle potentiation during the imminent threat condition. Higher rates of anxiety and depression symptoms in the patient group did not account for the group differences in startle reflex magnitude. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to controls, female patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome showed increased activation of a defensive emotional circuit in the context of a threat of abdominal pain. This pattern is similar to that previously reported in patients with anxiety disorders as well as those with irritable bowel syndrome. Since these circuits have an important role in central pain amplification related to affective and cognitive processes, these results support the hypothesis that the observed abnormality may be involved in the enhanced perception of bladder signals associated with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Developmental influences on medically unexplained symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Medically unexplained (or 'functional') symptoms (MUS) are physical symptoms that prompt the sufferer to seek healthcare but remain unexplained after an appropriate medical evaluation. Examples of MUS also occur in veterinary medicine. For example, domestic cats suffer a syndrome comparable to interstitial cystitis, a chronic pelvic pain syndrome of humans. METHOD: Review of current evidence suggests the hypothesis that developmental factors may play a role in some cases of MUS. Maternal perception of a threatening environment may be transmitted to the fetus when hormones cross the placenta and affect fetal physiology, effectively 'programming' the fetal stress response system and associated behaviors toward enhanced vigilance. After birth, intense stress responses in the individual may result in similar vulnerability, which may be unmasked by subsequent stressors. RESULTS: Epigenetic modulation of gene expression (EMGEX) appears to play a central role in creation of this 'survival phenotype'. The recent development of techniques to identify the presence of EMGEX provides new tools to investigate these questions, and drugs and other interventions that may reverse EMGEX are also under active investigation. CONCLUSION: Viewing MUS from the perspective of underlying developmental influences involving EMGEX that affect function of a variety of organs based on familial (genetic and environmental) predispositions rather than from the traditional viewpoint of isolated organ-originating diseases has at least two important implications: it provides a parsimonious explanation for findings heretofore difficult to reconcile, and it opens whole new areas of investigation into causes and treatments for this class of disorders.

A candidate serum biomarker for bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

Reliable diagnostic markers for Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis (IC) currently are not available. This study evaluated the feasibility of diagnosing IC in humans and domestic cats from the spectra of dried serum films (DSFs) using infrared microspectroscopy. Spectra were obtained from films from 29 humans and 34 domestic cats to create classification models using Soft Independent Modeling by Class Analogy (SIMCA). Ultrafiltration of serum improved discrimination capability. The classification models for both species successfully classified spectra based on condition (healthy/sick), and a different set of masked spectra correctly predicted the condition of 100% of the subjects. Classification required information from the 1500-1800 cm(-1) spectral region to discriminate between subjects with IC, other disorders, and healthy subjects. Analysis of cat samples using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy revealed differences in the concentration of tryptophan and its metabolites between healthy and affected cats. These results demonstrate the potential utility of infrared microspectroscopy to diagnose IC in both humans and cats.

Chronic Lower Urinary Tract Signs in Cats: Current Understanding of Pathophysiology and Management.

Cats that present with chronic lower urinary tract signs are often diagnosed with feline idiopathic/interstitial cystitis, a disease syndrome that is more than just a bladder disease and can be associated wtih a myriad of other co-morbidities. Further, gaining a better understanding of FIC (including the most accurate descriptive terminology) may help researchers, veterinarians, pet food companies, and clients develop and tailor the best possible approaches to management of these cat's unique health and welfare needs.

Pinch-induced behavioral inhibition ('clipnosis') in domestic cats.

Research has documented immobilization of rodents, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs by mechanical means, typically using neck clips or inversion ('animal hypnosis'). In contrast, only a few studies of mechanical immobilization of cats are available, although some success has been reported in the literature. Domestic cats may be effectively immobilized by clips placed along the animal's dorsum. We use the term 'pinch-induced behavioral inhibition' (PIBI) for this behavior because it describes both the method and the response, while avoiding the more anthropomorphic term 'hypnosis'. We investigated the effectiveness of PIBI and its neurological and habituation effects in healthy cats and cats with idiopathic cystitis (IC). Although not all cats were susceptible to PIBI and effectiveness varied among individuals, PIBI was useful for gentle restraint in most cats.

Corrigendum: Inflammation and Tissue Remodeling in the Bladder and Urethra in Feline Interstitial Cystitis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2018.00013.].