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Due to the increase in the number of companion animal breeders in Japan, there are more opportunities for companion animals to come into contact with humans than before. Therefore, we investigated the bacterial flora adhering to the skin of dogs and the bacterial flora was analyzed for the presence of zoonotic bacteria that infect humans from companion animals. With the cooperation of students enrolled in the Department of Medical Technology and Science, Faculty of Fukuoka Health Care, International University of Health and Welfare. 39 samples were collected from the abdomen, back and paws of 13 healthy dogs using sterile swabs by the scraping method. The isolation culture was carried out only for facultative anaerobic bacteria to obligate aerobic bacteria and Bacterial identification was determined by MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Among the identified strains were Pasteurella canis , Staphylococcus pseudintermedius , Staphylococcus intermedius , which were difficult to detect in humans. The overall ratio of detected bacteria was 35% for coagulasenegative staphylococci, 14% for coagulase-positive staphylococci, 5% for Enterobacteriaceae, and 45% for natural environment. In the future, it is expected that extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing bacteria and drug-resistant bacteria such as Carbapenem-resistant enterobacterales will also be transmitted to humans through contact with companion animals.

Eight candidate selection indexes to achieve desired genetic gains in three traits, i.e., composure, concentration on handler and ability to control stress, were designed with the estimated quantitative genetic parameters from records (693 dogs) of the behavior assessment from 2015 to 2018 in the Asia Guidedog Breeding Network. The indexes were compared in terms of expected genetic gains in the three traits. An index to maximize the genetic gain in composure under constraint of a positive change in ability to control stress showed the most desirable performance to cope with negative genetic association between the two traits. Paper selection with estimated breeding values of dogs assessed their behavior in 2018 confirmed the favorable performance of this index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the interactions between humans and dogs and between humans and horses, previous research has investigated whether human behaviors can serve as signals to these animals. Hare et al. (2002) found that dogs are more sensitive to human pointing than chimpanzees, which are the species most closely related to humans, and wolves, which are the species most closely related to dogs. Based on these findings, they argued that dogs possess innate cognitive capacities for processing human social cues, particularly pointing behaviors, as a result of domestication. Conversely, other studies have indicated that minor variations in the pointing task between species may introduce confounding factors in the results. Therefore, this paper identifies and discusses four potential pitfalls--misconceptions that may hinder the progress of research--in studies employing the pointing task. It provides an exploration of the intriguing and challenging aspects of cognitive research involving dogs and horses, with a focus on avoiding these pitfalls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of early childhood-onset pork-cat syndrome possibly due to sensitization by both cats and dogs. A 6-year-old girl was referred to our hospital because of repetitive episodes of urticaria when she consumed pork meat. The patient lived with a dog and the ground floor of her house was a veterinary clinic run by her veterinarian parents. Blood tests demonstrated high specific IgE (≥50UA/ml) against cat dander, dog dander, pork, Sus s 1, Fel d 2, Can f 1, Can f 2, and Can f 3. The skin prick test was positive for raw pork and beef. Western blotting analysis detected hot spots on 67-kDa proteins in pork meat and cat dander extract. Cross-reactivity between these two proteins was confirmed by an inhibition test. Furthermore, crossreactivity between pork meat and dog dander extract was also noted. Taken together, the diagnosis of porkcat syndrome was made, and both cats and dogs were suggested to have led to the sensitization. The patient was advised to only eat well-cooked pork, and has been followed thereafter without additional reactions. The previously reported cases of this syndrome developed during adolescence and young adulthood because a considerable period from the sensitization to the development cross-reactivity with pork meat is required. To our best knowledge, this is the youngest reported case of pork-cat syndrome among English and Japanese literatures. The nomenclature of this syndrome as pet animal-meat syndrome improves the understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of cross-reactivity between animal albumins and meat albumins.

Purpose: Service dogs have received much attention as effective choices for promoting participation in society of disabled persons. The purpose of this study was to obtain the fundamental data to prepare guidelines regarding service dogs use in community life, by making clear the problems in terms of public health and community welfare through a survey of attitudes towards service dogs in community residents., Methods: Study 1 was conducted as follows. The subjects were 423 community residents between their teens and seventies who participated in health and welfare lectures in 4 metropolitan areas. A questionnaire survey was conducted just after watching a promotion video about service dogs, including several items on aspects not accept, were anxious about or were unpleasant in the case of community life of a disabled person and a service dog. Study 2 was as follows. A questionnaire survey was conducted inside a supermarket in the central part of Tokyo. One group of subjects were 103 shopping customers who witnessed a shopping scene featuring a disabled person with her service dog, and the other subjects were 84 customers who were not witnessed to the scene. The same survey was simultaneously performed for impression about the shopping scene., Results: Study 1 showed that 31.8% of all the respondents replied that they had some knowledge of service dogs before watching the video. A total of 20.4% (32.5% of the elderly) replied that there were places where service dogs should not enter. Concretely speaking, these included restaurants for 7.3-22.5% and medical institutions for 8.5-12.5% of the respondents. A third of all the respondents (51.3% of older persons) replied they could not endure some actions by service dogs, concretely "carrying food in the mouth" was highly pointed out by 27.3%. Zoonosis (15.3-19.0%), hair scattering (9.5-21.3%), injuries (4.4-7.4%) were also pointed out as main sources of anxiety or uncomfortable feelings. Such negative opinions were especially apparent among those aged 60 years and older. Also, 44.1% knew some disabled person. Cross tabulation showed those who had experience of taking care of a dog were significant less anxious about "vague anxiety or discomfort," and "zoonosis" than those who had not (P < 0.01). On the other hand, most of both witness (79.6%), and non-witness groups (81.0%) replied that it was heartwarming that the service dog assisted with shopping. None expressed discomfort about the presence of "service dog" inside the supermarket. In terms of carrying a commodity in the mouth, 92.2% and 89.1% in both groups replied that they don't mind, especially if safety was guaranteed for public health, and 91.3% and 95.2% in both groups replied that they had no other problems. Moreover, none of them would not entering stores. Significant differences were seldom in replies between the witness and non-witness groups., Conclusion: Although the respondents were extremely affirmative regarding the image of service dogs, it became clear that anxiety about public health aspects such as "zoonosis" or "utilization of medical institutions" was persisting. On the whole, negative opinions were more apparent in the elderly.

Copyright of Journal of the Japan Research Association for Textile End-Uses / Sen'i Seihin Shohi Kagaku is the property of Japan Research Association for Textile End-Uses / Sen'i Seihin Shohi Kagaku and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Humans have a highly developed retina and obtain approximately 80% of their external information from vision. Photoreceptor cells, which are located in the outermost layer of the neuroretina and recognize light signals, are highly specialized sensory cilia that share structural and functional features with primary cilia. Genetic disorders of the retina or photoreceptor cells are termed inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and are caused by variants in one of more than 280 genes identified to date. Among the genes responsible for IRDs, many are shared with those responsible for ciliopathies. In studies of inherited diseases, mouse models are commonly used due to their advantages in breeding, handling, and relative feasibility in creating pathological models. On the other hand, structural, functional, and genetic differences in the retina between mice and humans can be a barrier in IRD research. To overcome the limitations of mouse models, larger vertebrate models of IRDs can be a useful research subject. In particular, canines have retinas that are structurally and functionally similar and eyes that are anatomically comparable to those of humans. In addition, due to their unique veterinary clinical surveillance and genetic background, naturally occurring canine IRDs are more likely to be identified than in other large animals. To date, pathogenic mutations related to canine IRDs have been identified in more than 30 genes, contributing to the understanding of pathogeneses and to the development of new therapies. This review provides an overview of the roles of the canine IRD models in ciliopathy research.

Copyright of Rigakuryoho Kagaku is the property of International Press Editing Center Incorporation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, we aimed to verify the efficacy of the newly developed β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) block as a substitute for autologous bone blocks using a dog model. A total of 13 male beagle dogs (weighing 9.83±0.49 kg) 12 to 18 months old were used. A standardized bone defect 15 mm wide, 10 mm high, and 3 mm deep was created in dogs 2 months after extraction of the mandibular fourth premolar and first posterior molar. To determine its suitability as a bone substitute, the β-TCP block was transplanted into the dental socket. The control groups underwent only bone defect creation. 8 and 16 weeks after transplantation, an impression of the mandibular bone was taken using alginate, and plaster models were made. To analyze alveolar bone volume, the plaster models were scanned using a 3D scanner. For histopathological examination, mandibular bones were embedded in resin, and sections were stained with toluidine blue. At 8 and 16 weeks, the width of the alveolar crest in the control group was reduced compared to the preoperative width at all measurement points (p<0.05). Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were observed around the transplanted area in the experimental group. The area fraction of new bone increased from 9.35% to 29.72% and the residual β-TCP area fraction decreased from 23.63% to 13.14% from 8 to 16 weeks after surgery, with significant differences observed. In conclusion, β-TCP can be formed into a block shape with high excisibility. β-TCP has both compressive strength and good resorptive and replacement properties while preserving 60% porosity, allowing it to maintain mechanical strength for an extended duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Asia Guidedog Breeding Network (AGBN), behavior assessment test has been caried out to evaluate suitability for guide dogs. In this work, factor analysis was applied to the behavior assessment records of 693 Labrador Retriever evaluated from 2015 to 2018, and three principal factors were extracted as candidate traits for selection. The three factors were interpreted as composure, concentration on handler and ability to control stress. High heritability (0.71) was estimated for composure, whereas concentration of handler and ability to control stress showed low to moderate heritability (0.24 and 0.30). Genetic correlations were estimated to be high (0.65) between composure and ability to control stress and moderate (0.29) between concentration on handler and ability to control stress. Negative genetic correlation (-0.30) estimated between composure and ability to control stress would be an obstacle for simultaneous improvement of these two traits. Genetic trend in composure, that has been the trait emphasized in breeding of guide dogs in AGBN, showed a positive change after 2005. A positive genetic change was also estimated in concentration on handler, which would be a correlated response to the improvement of composure. Ability to control stress tended to decline presumably due to the negative genetic association with composure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]