Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. The phenotype varies from mild focal thickening to severe concentric hypertrophy at the left ventricle. Two separate myosin binding protein C (MYBPC3) mutations have been identified in Maine coon cats (A31P and A74T) and one in Ragdoll cats. All three of them seem to cause familial HCM in an autosomal dominant pattern. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of these three mutations in population cats of different breeds with HCM in Sweden. The results may show if HCM is present in the absence of these mutations.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats. Maine coon is one of the breeds where the disease is overrepresented. Studies have shown that HCM is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in Maine coon cats. This finding has led to cardiac screening using ultrasound in the breed. The results of the screening are used in a national breeding program constructed to reduce the spread and incidence of HCM in Maine coon cats.

The objectives of this study was to examine the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a family of British Shorthaircats to determine the mode of inheritance and to investigate if the disease was associated with a mutation in myosin binding proteinC (MyBPC3). The family comprised 28 cats, seven male and 21 females. The cats underwent a physical examination, including cardiac auscultation, and an ultrasound examination. Blood was collected for DNA- analysis. The blodsamples were sent in a buffer solution to Kathryn Meurs, Washington State University, USA for analysis, where the genes coding for MyBPC, Troponin I and T were characterized using microsequencing technique. Out of the 28 cats, 8 were diagnosed with HCM, 2 were diagnosed with congenital heart disease but had no evidence of HCM.

This paper investigates narrative and thematic structures in Damien Echols? autobiography Life After Death (2012) and Stephen King?s horror novel ?Salem?s Lot (1975). In Life After Death Echols tells the tale of his eighteen-year incarceration on Death Row in Arkansas/USA. He also uses his childhood memories to overcome hardships in the prison system. ?Salem?s Lot by Stephen King deals with the invasion of vampires in a small town in rural Maine in the North East corner of the United States.  The author of this study discusses if and how Damien Echols was inspired in his writing by the writings of Stephen King.