Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lea Mikkola, Kaisa Kyostila, Jonas Donner, Anu K. Lappalainen, Marjo K. Hytonen, Hannes Lohi, Antti Iivanainen
Summary: This study successfully replicates many loci associated with canine hip dysplasia (CHD) in different breeds, highlighting the complex genetic architecture of the disease. Genes involved in the neddylation pathway are enriched among the validated loci, contributing to various cellular functions including inflammation. Further characterization of these associated loci could reveal CHD-relevant genes and pathways for enhanced understanding of the disease pathogenesis.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lourdes Sofia Aguilera Garcia, Amado Manuel Canales Vergara, Pedro Zurita Herrera, Jose Manuel Alanzor Puente, Agueda Laura Pons Barro, Susana Dunner, Carlos San Jose Marques, Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo, Amparo Martinez Martinez
Summary: Ca Rater Mallorqui is a hunting and ratting dog breed that prevents disease spread and economic losses. However, the population of this breed has declined and conservation measures are needed to avoid extinction.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Matteo Cortellari, Arianna Bionda, Raffaella Cocco, Sara Sechi, Luigi Liotta, Paola Crepaldi
Summary: This study analyzed the genomic background of the Fonni's dog and found that it is closely related to other shepherd dogs while also having unique genetic characteristics. The study compared different phenotypical and genetic scores and found a positive correlation, with the genomic score having the highest correlation with breed typicality. The judges' score showed little variability and could be improved to better evaluate the breed. The recovery and preservation of the Fonni's dog will require collaboration between breeders and the Italian kennel club, as well as support from regional programs.
Article
Psychiatry
Jessica B. Girault, Kevin Donovan, Zoe Hawks, Muhamed Talovic, Elizabeth Forsen, Jed T. Elison, Mark D. Shen, Meghan R. Swanson, Jason J. Wolff, Sun Hyung Kim, Tomoyuki Nishino, Savannah Davis, Abraham Z. Snyder, Kelly N. Botteron, Annette M. Estes, Stephen R. Dager, Heather C. Hazlett, Guido Gerig, Robert McKinstry, Juhi Pandey, Robert T. Schultz, Tanya St John, Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, Alexandre Todorov, Young Truong, Martin Styner, John R. Pruett, John N. Constantino, Joseph Piven
Summary: This study used MRI techniques to examine the brain development of siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and found that higher levels of ASD traits in the probands were associated with larger brain volume and surface area, reduced white matter integrity, and weaker functional connectivity in the visual system among siblings who developed ASD. These findings suggest that familial ASD traits contribute to specific early brain MRI phenotypes and influence the prodromal development of visual circuitry in ASD.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Benedikt Hielscher-Zdzieblik, Ingo Froboese, James Serpell, Udo Ganslosser
Summary: This study found that physical activity behavior in dog owners is stable over time, but there is no clear pattern based on the age, size, and energy level of the dogs. Owners of different dog breeds differ in the types of physical activity.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Dimitrios Parissis, Maria Dimitriou, Panagiotis Ioannidis
Summary: Acute encephalopathy refers to a rapidly progressive multifocal or diffuse brain dysfunction, which can be caused by acute structural disturbance or a variety of metabolic, toxic, epileptic, or infection-related factors. It is important for clinicians to consider rare inherited disorders when diagnosing encephalopathy in adults, including neurometabolic disorders, epileptic syndromes, and genetic entities that can cause episodic changes in cognition. Understanding the clinicoradiological features and potential pathophysiology of these disorders is crucial for swift diagnosis and proper genetic counseling.
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arnold J. Levine
Summary: The p53 protein acts as a transcription factor that inhibits tumor development, but mutations in the DNA binding domain of the TP53 gene can contribute to tumor formation. These mutations result in a wide range of transcriptional capabilities of the mutant p53 proteins, impacting cancer formation across various tissue types. Inherited and spontaneous TP53 mutations interact with genetic and epigenetic factors to produce diverse phenotypes in patients, which poses challenges for predicting patient outcomes and exploring new therapeutic approaches.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kathleen Morrill, Jessica Hekman, Xue Li, Jesse McClure, Brittney Logan, Linda Goodman, Mingshi Gao, Yinan Dong, Marjie Alonso, Elena Carmichael, Noah Snyder-Mackler, Jacob Alonso, Hyun Ji Noh, Jeremy Johnson, Michele Koltookian, Charlie Lieu, Kate Megquier, Ross Swofford, Jason Turner-Maier, Michelle E. White, Zhiping Weng, Andres Colubri, Diane P. Genereux, Kathryn A. Lord, Elinor K. Karlsson
Summary: Behavioral characteristics in dogs are influenced by genetics, with modern breeds primarily distinguished by aesthetic traits. Specific breed behaviors are derived from thousands of years of adaptive evolution.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Emily E. Binversie, Mehdi Momen, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Brian W. Davis, Peter Muir
Summary: This study conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on canine whole-genome sequencing (WGS) repository data using breed phenotypes. By applying categorical GWAS, the study identified candidate loci and genes associated with canine spontaneous complex orthopedic diseases. The findings contribute to the understanding of these diseases and provide insights into the optimal approach for conducting GWAS without individual phenotypes.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lori R. Kogan, Wendy Packman, Phyllis Erdman, Jennifer Currin-McCulloch, Cori Bussolari
Summary: This study investigated US residents' views on the bite risk of common dog breeds, breed-specific legislation, and alternative options for improved public safety. The findings showed that while dog bites were considered a serious public health issue, there was limited support for breed bans and a belief that such bans impact animal welfare. Females were less likely to support breed bans. The most popular alternatives to breed-specific legislation included public education on animal welfare and behavior, as well as stricter leash laws.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sangeetha Yoganathan, Madhan Kumar, Suvasini Sharma, Smruti Patel, Sumita Danda, Maya Thomas
Summary: A 5-year-old girl presented with myoclonus and frequent falls for 2.5 years. A pathogenic heterozygous nonsense variant in exon 3 of the SGCE gene was identified.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
C. Wallis, E. K. Saito, C. Salt, L. J. Holcombe, N. G. Desforges
Summary: Despite being a common diagnosis in primary-care practice, periodontal disease is generally underdiagnosed. This study analyzed over 3 million medical records of dogs visiting veterinary hospitals in the United States to find that extra-small breeds were more likely to be diagnosed with PD, compared to giant breeds. The study also identified age, overweight, and time since last dental cleaning as additional risk factors for PD diagnosis.
VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Paola C. Mujica, Victor Martinez
Summary: The study estimated population parameters and genetic diversity of the Chilean Terrier and found that it has high genetic diversity and evolved independently from other terrier breeds.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jelena Nikitovic, Naris Pojskic, Abdurahim Kalajdzic, Lejla Usanovic, Zoran Maletic, Belma Kalamujic Stroil
Summary: This study investigated the genotyping of Bosnian broken-haired hound-Barak and found that it exhibits high genetic variability. Phylogenetic analysis showed clear differentiation of Barak from other dog breeds, with Tornjak being the closest. The study highlights the urgent need to establish an animal gene bank and in situ conservation programs to protect and preserve this indigenous breed of hound dog.
BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Faiza Habib, Muhammad Yasin, Areej Namal, Abrar Shaheryar, Areej Nasir, Abrar Hussain, Chinonso Ndubuisi, Hiba Azam, Muhammad Sajid, Arsalan Rasheed
Summary: This study focused on retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and identified mutations in the CRB1 and RP1 genes that are associated with the disease. The researchers used linkage analysis and sequencing techniques in two Pakistani families to uncover these genetic abnormalities.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jessica McKenzie, Kate Fenner, Michelle Hyde, Ashley Anzulewicz, Bibiana Burattini, Nicole Romness, Bethany Wilson, Paul McGreevy
Summary: The study shows that the number of riders or handlers is related to how horses respond to training cues, with an increase in numbers possibly leading to horses being more difficult to accelerate and less difficult to decelerate. This could be because horses with multiple riders tend to have more persistent responses to rein cues.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Belle Elias, Melissa Starling, Bethany Wilson, Paul McGreevy
Summary: This study utilized infrared thermography to monitor eye temperature changes in racing greyhounds, with the right eye and lacrimal caruncle identified as the most sensitive reference points. Factors contributing to stress included physical exertion, age, coat colour, and pre-race waiting time. Additionally, environmental factors such as humidity and track conditions may also influence greyhound stress levels.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ashley Anzulewicz, Kate Fenner, Michelle Hyde, Susan Heald, Bibiana Burattini, Nicole Romness, Jessica McKenzie, Bethany Wilson, Paul McGreevy
Summary: The study explored the influence of human sex in human-horse interactions, revealing that horses handled by male humans were more difficult to catch, defensive, but less likely to pull on the reins or toss their head compared to those handled by female humans.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Emily V. Bushby, Louise Dye, Lisa M. Collins
Summary: In commercial pig production, stress is common and supplementary magnesium may help reduce stress and harmful behaviors. However, studies on the efficacy of magnesium supplementation have produced mixed results, with some showing beneficial effects and others suggesting potential harm. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of magnesium on reducing stress in pigs.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Melissa J. Starling, Elyssa Payne, Paul McGreevy
Summary: This study discusses the stress induced during sheep movement in Australian abattoirs and introduces the concept of 'Optimal Flow' to balance speed and animal welfare. The pilot study suggests that providing enough space for sheep to move freely can achieve Optimal Flow. The research highlights the challenges abattoirs face in efficiently moving livestock through the plant while ensuring good animal welfare, and identifies factors influencing sheep movement rate such as sheep density and presence of herding dogs.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
George T. Herbert, William D. Redfearn, Elizabeth Brass, Hillary A. Dalton, Roger Gill, David Brass, Cameron Smith, Ann C. Rayner, Lucy Asher
Summary: This study documented extreme levels of piling behavior in a commercial, free-range flock, and found associations with water:feed ratio and temperature range. Despite high bird densities, no associations were found between piling extremity and productivity.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Emily V. Bushby, Sheena C. Cotter, Anna Wilkinson, Mary Friel, Lisa M. Collins
Summary: This study assessed changes in pigs' judgment bias as a measure of affective state throughout gestation. The results suggested that pigs' affective state may be altered during gestation, with pigs responding increasingly negatively to ambiguous probes as gestation progressed and showing consistent inter-individual differences in baseline optimism.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Malou van der Sluis, Lucy Asher, T. Bas Rodenburg, Yvette de Haas, Britt de Klerk, Esther D. Ellen
Summary: This study uses an RFID tracking system to record broiler activity and finds that the variability in activity is negatively correlated with average daily gain. However, the activity descriptors only explain a small portion of the variation in average daily gain, suggesting the need to consider other factors in future research.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nicole Allenden, Donald W. Hine, Belinda M. Craig, Annette L. Cowie, Paul D. McGreevy, Amy D. Lykins
Summary: This study evaluates the sustainability of five common plant-rich diets, considering their environmental, human health, and animal welfare impacts, as well as the likelihood of adoption among Australian adults. The Mediterranean diet and vegetarian diet are found to have the greatest projected positive impact on the three dimensions.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lauren Margaret Smith, Conor Goold, Rupert J. Quinnell, Alexandru M. Munteanu, Sabine Hartmann, Paolo Dalla Villa, Lisa M. Collins
Summary: This study quantified the size, dynamics, and health status of free-roaming dog populations in two cities in Europe. The findings provide important data for effective dog population management and infectious disease modeling.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Simone Pfuderer, Richard M. Bennett, Anna Brown, Lisa M. Collins
Summary: This study developed a dynamic simulation model of pig growing and finishing to assess the financial and economic impacts of various scenarios related to disease effects and production influences. The results demonstrated that the economic impact of respiratory disease on pig production may be underestimated and that variations in carcass weights play a significant role in reducing income.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ariella Y. Y. Moser, Wendy Y. Y. Brown, Pauleen Bennett, Peta S. S. Taylor, Bethany Wilson, Paul McGreevy
Summary: This study identified the important traits for dogs trained in biosecurity detection, and found seven relevant traits: search motivation, emotional stability, search arousal, food motivation, play motivation, search independence, and search focus. Current biosecurity detector dogs had consistently high ratings in search motivation, emotional stability, and food motivation, and dogs rated highly in search arousal and search motivation also performed well in overall detection.
Editorial Material
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lorann Stallones, Phil McManus, Paul McGreevy
Summary: This article discusses the challenges faced by the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry in achieving sustainability on a global scale. It examines the impacts of the sector on different stakeholders, including horses, industry participants, and the environment. The authors propose an Enhanced One Welfare Framework to guide discussions on improving the conditions of horse usage for sport and mitigating the effects of racing on humans and the planet. Unlike approaches that call for banning horseracing, the framework explores pathways for incremental improvements in the industry while considering animal welfare, human welfare, and environmental impacts.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Colette Ermers, Nerida McGilchrist, Kate Fenner, Bethany Wilson, Paul McGreevy
Summary: Fibre is an essential component of a horse's diet and its importance in providing energy is often underestimated. Foraging is a natural behavior for horses and ponies, and insufficient opportunities for foraging can lead to various behavioral problems. Replacing starch with fibrous alternatives in high-energy diets reduces the risk of gastrointestinal diseases and improves digestion, behavior, and immune function. Providing adequate fibre intake has numerous benefits for horse health and well-being.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
David Armstrong, Lucy Asher, Ann Rayner, Halima Ngidda, Bryony Sharma, Helen Gray
Summary: Piling behavior in cage-free egg production has implications for production and can result in reduced egg yield. On average, hens engage in piling behavior four times a day for approximately 44 minutes per event, with peak piling occurring between 1300 and 1359. The study also found that the number of piling events was negatively associated with the number of eggs produced the following day, while the total duration of piling per day was positively associated with fewer Grade B eggs.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
L. Alibrandi, R. Tognetti, O. Domenech, M. Croce, M. Giuntoli, G. Grosso, T. Vezzosi
Summary: This study assessed the feasibility and diagnostic reliability of a new smartphone-based ECG device in dogs, and found no significant differences compared to a traditional ECG device. The results suggest that the smartphone-based device is clinically reliable for assessing heart rate and rhythm in dogs.
VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2024)