Search

Recycling waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into value-added ligand materials for synthesizing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived catalysts is an eco-friendly and economically viable process. The waste PET bottles were readily broken down into 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (BDC) ligands in a highly alkaline environment. Herein, we fabricated a Co@Cr(OH) 3 /ZrO 2 catalyst via the carbonization of PET-derived UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks for the catalytic dehydrogenation of formic acid at low temperatures. The as-prepared Co@Cr(OH) 3 /ZrO 2 catalyst provides a turnover frequency of 7685 h−1 for hydrogen generation (120 mL in 1.5 min) at ambient temperature. This is due to the uniform dispersion of the fine metal nanoparticle (NPs) (Co NPs, ∼3.75 nm) and the synergistic effect of the Co NPs and Cr(OH) 3 /ZrO 2 supports. In addition, the characterization results indicate that porous Zr-MOFs may effectively enclose tiny particles, which is favorable for enhanced dehydrogenation performance. In addition, the Co@Cr(OH) 3 /ZrO 2 catalysts demonstrated excellent stability against aggregation and were recyclable over seven cycles without any significant catalytic loss. Thus, this study provides a sustainable methodology for the development of MOF-derived, effective, and stable catalysts for formic acid dehydrogenation towards hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article I explore the construct of the 'natural' voice within the context of the natural voice movement, before invoking perspectives on voice from the posthumanities and D/deaf studies in discussion of The Walk, a performance between a puppet, a natural voice choir, a refugee choir and a large audience that occurred in London in October 2021. Methodologically, this paper is an attempt at 'thinking with theory' (Jackson, Alecia Youngblood, and Lisa A. Mazzei. 2017. "Thinking with Theory: A New Analytic for Qualitative Inquiry." In The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research, edited by N. K. Denzin, and Y. Lincoln, 717–737. Sage) – specifically thinking voice alongside theoretical stimuli from the posthumanities through the doing of ethnography – in the hope of provoking useful flights of thought in relation to the practice and study of music education and community music. I conclude by considering my personal rationale for engaging with the posthumanities as a means of researching community singing within the natural voice movement. A protean version of this article was presented as a paper-presentation at the Grieg Research School in Bergen, Norway in 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The landscape regarding the public's use and mental health professionals' recommendation of emotional support animals has recently undergone significant changes. This study analyzes current practices for emotional support animal (ESA) recommendations among mental health professionals and aims to explore best practices for compliance with ethical and legal standards when using emotional support animals in treatment. The researchers surveyed 106 mental health professionals using a Likert-style questionnaire to determine their beliefs, practices, and attitudes regarding ESAs. Participants included LPCs/LMHCs, LMFTs, social workers, psychologists, and student interns. Results showed that most participants believed in the healing power of human-animal interactions and were well versed in legal requirements regarding ESAs. Results also indicated that many mental health professionals recommend ESAs without appropriate continuing education or coursework. Results also showed discrepancies between practitioners' purported knowledge about ESAs and actual procedures regarding ESA recommendations. These findings yield important information for clinicians, counselor educators, and clinical supervisors who are likely to face inquiries about ESAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the affective relationship of older adults with their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to assess how this contributed to their mental health. This qualitative study included 351 participants aged 65–88 years from Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Spain. All interviews went through content analysis. Findings indicated five themes: (1) Enabling a meaningful affective relationship (86%); (2) Strengthening affective sharing with partner (68%); (3) Easing new affective relationships (61%); (4) Enhancing sensory stimuli and physical touch (55%); and; (5) Feeling physical pleasure (23%). Three main themes emerged from the content analysis regarding the second objective: (1) Fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms (73%); (2) Fewer feelings of loneliness (68%); and (3) Fewer mood swings (43%). The affective relationship between older adults and their pets was relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic since it solidified affective relationships with their partners and fostered the creation of new relationships. Additionally, it contributed to a deeper affective relationship with themselves, in terms of sensory stimuli, physical touch, and physical pleasure. Owning a pet improved mental health symptoms, namely those associated with depression, anxiety, and mood swings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical inactivity in the older adult population contributes to a decreased quality of life and complications from many co-morbidities. Dog walking is an activity that can assist this population in increasing activity. This was a secondary analysis of a 12-week quasi-experimental study of older adults residing in three separate assisted living facilities divided into walking with shelter dogs (DW), walking with human companions (HW), and a control group (C). There was an overall total program greater mean difference in distance (ft) of 61,565.77 (p =.01) and time (minutes) of 737.82 (p =.00) of DW to HW groups. Overall, the participants commented positively about their walking companions and the program. The DW group stated, 'Walking the dogs helped to get them out of their cages,' Both groups expressed that the program was a motivator to walk. Additionally, commitment to the dog could potentially motivate older adults to be more active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their outstanding ability of vocal imitation, parrots are often kept as pets. Research has shown that they do not just repeat human words. They can use words purposefully to label objects, persons, and animals, and they can even use conversational phrases in appropriate contexts. So far, the structure of pet parrots' vocabularies and the difference between them and human vocabulary acquisition has been studied only in one individual. This study quantitatively analyses parrot and child vocabularies in a larger sample using a vocabulary coding method suitable for assessing the vocabulary structure in both species. We have explored the composition of word-like sounds produced by 21 grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) kept as pets in Czech- or Slovak-speaking homes, and compared it to the composition of early productive vocabularies of 21 children acquiring Czech (aged 8–18 months), who were matched to the parrots by vocabulary size. The results show that the 'vocabularies' of talking grey parrots and children differ: children use significantly more object labels, activity and situation labels, and emotional expressions, while parrots produce significantly more conversational expressions, greetings, and multiword utterances in general. These differences could reflect a strong link between learning spoken words and understanding the underlying concepts, an ability seemingly unique to human children (and absent in parrots), but also different communicative goals of the two species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study we examined reptile pet ownership trends and animal welfare practices in Hong Kong. Over 200 owners from Hong Kong were surveyed and their responses were then used to understand the current preferences for reptile species and how these animals are cared for. The results revealed a growing popularity for reptiles, particularly lizards, among people that were acquiring their first pet reptile. Turtles remained a popular choice, likely due to cultural associations and perceived ease of care. While many owners expressed awareness of proper reptile care, which includes healthcare, diet, and living space, a concerning gap was identified between reptile care knowledge and its practical application. This was particularly evident in the under-utilization of veterinary check-ups. Interestingly, we found a potential link between the experience of owning a pet reptile and reptile health, suggesting new owners might benefit from acquiring more knowledge. Additionally, we identified a possible association between the variety of sources from which reptiles are acquired and their well-being. These findings highlight the need for more focused educational programs to equip new reptile pet owners with proper health care and nutrition practices and the importance of regular veterinary visits. By fostering collaborations and/or partnerships between reptile pet owners, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations, the results of this study and their application aim to improve reptile welfare within the evolving pet ownership landscape in Hong Kong. We investigated the evolving landscape of reptile pet ownership in Hong Kong. Employing a quantitative approach, a self-administered survey was distributed and over 200 reptile pet owners residing in Hong Kong responded. The survey instrument captured demographic data on pet ownership history, species preferences, husbandry practices, and veterinary care utilization. The findings revealed a strong interest in pet reptiles, with lizards being particularly popular (67%) among new owners. Turtles remain common (35%), likely due to cultural factors and perceived ease of care. However, a gap was noted between the awareness and the implementation of proper husbandry practices, with 51% of respondents expressing concerns about enrichment and 21% uncertain about appropriate enclosure size. Veterinary care utilization also showed a disconnect, with 50% of the respondents reporting no regular check-ups were performed, despite acknowledging its importance. Reptile behavior served as a well-being indicator. Over 90% of the respondents observed normal behaviors like locomotion and breathing. Interestingly, a positive correlation emerged between reptile behavior scores and duration of ownership (r = 0.200, p < 0.01), suggesting improved well-being for reptiles that were in long-term care. These findings emphasize the need for educational initiatives promoting responsible pet ownership practices and fostering collaboration between reptile owners, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations. By addressing these knowledge gaps and promoting a collaborative approach, our results aim to contribute to enhanced reptile welfare in the context of Hong Kong's evolving pet ownership trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Dozens of species of small exotic mammals, such as chinchillas, golden hamsters, Java squirrels, Mongolian gerbils, mice, rats, African hedgehogs, and sugar gliders, are kept as pets globally. These exotic companion mammals are potential reservoirs for maintaining and transmitting zoonotic pathogens. Using molecular assays, our study aimed to investigate the occurrence of some potential zoonotic viruses in various small exotic mammals kept as pets in Italy. Our findings show that aichivirus (AiV) was further characterized as murine kobuvirus-1 in a rat (Rattus norvegicus). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the detection of AiV in rodents in Italy. Our results also revealed the absence of other viruses investigated while highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring of infectious agents in these increasingly common pets to prevent the spread of new potential zoonotic pathogens. We investigated the occurrence of eight potential zoonotic viruses in 91 exotic companion mammals from pet shops in southern Italy via real-time PCR and end-point PCR. The animals were screened for aichivirus, sapovirus, astrovirus, hepatitis A, noroviruses (GI and GII), rotavirus, circovirus, and SARS-CoV-2. Among the nine species of exotic pets studied, only one rat tested positive for aichivirus. The high sequence similarity to a murine kobuvirus-1 strain previously identified in China suggests that the virus may have been introduced into Italy through the importation of animals from Asia. Since exotic companion mammals live in close contact with humans, continuous sanitary monitoring is crucial to prevent the spread of new pathogens among domestic animals and humans. Further investigations on detecting and typing zoonotic viruses are needed to identify emerging and re-emerging viruses to safeguard public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Septic exudates in the body cavities of dogs and cats are considered a critical clinical condition. The current elective diagnostic tools for detecting septic effusion are bacterial culture and fluid cytology. Although culture is considered the gold standard, clinicians may not have access to the results for several days. This may result in a delayed diagnosis of septic effusion, which may have adverse effects on patient outcomes. This study compared the performances of cytology and bacterial culture in the identification of septic exudative body cavity effusions in dogs and cats. The results of our investigation indicated moderate agreement between cytology and microbiology. Cytology and bacterial culture results for exudative body cavity effusions in dogs and cats can be misleading when conducted individually. To improve diagnostic accuracy, these two methodologies should be integrated. The elective test for the determination of the effusions etiopathogenesis is represented by physico-chemical analysis and cytology. Nevertheless, the bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests are crucial for setting therapy and for the outcome. This study compared cytology with microbiology in the etiologic diagnosis of exudative body cavity effusions in dogs and cats collected from October 2018 to October 2022. All samples underwent aerobic and anaerobic culture and cytology examination. Bacterial identifications were confirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, whereas cytological samples were blindly evaluated either in May Grunwald-Giemsa (MGG) or Gram-stained samples by two board-certified clinical pathologists. A moderate agreement (κ = 0.454) between cytology and bacterial culture was revealed. The sensitivity of the cytological evaluation in our study ranged from 38.5% to 67.9%, and the specificity ranged from 88.9% to 100%, depending on the type of the effusion, so cytology may not be representative of the etiopathogenesis, whereas bacterial culture can misidentify or fail to isolate the correct pathogen for difficult in vitro growing due to the presence of inhibitory substances or contamination. Cytology and bacterial culture results for exudative body cavity effusions in dogs and cats can be misleading if conducted separately, so these two tests should be performed together to increase diagnostic accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the reproductive isolation mechanisms that prevent gene flow between species is essential for understanding the process of speciation. In this study, we investigate the spawning periods in Fissurella cumingi and F. latimarginata, two closely related sympatric species of keyhole limpets with external fertilization, as a potential prezygotic barrier between them. The reproductive cycle was assessed in two distinct locations in northern Chile using the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and gonadal histology. Species, locality, and sex were designated as predictive variables, while average GSI values, as well as those of partial and total spawning, were considered dependent variables. Both species exhibit a continuous gametogenic cycle throughout the year, characterized by multiple spawning events. A generalized linear model (GLM) factorial ANOVA design revealed that neither species, locality nor sex were significant factors with respect to the GSI and partial spawning scores. However, sex was found to be the only significant factor related to total spawning. No significant interactions were observed among predictive factors. These findings suggest that reproductive periods may not serve as effective barriers to gamete encounters between species. Our study prompts questions about how closely-related externally-fertilizing species maintain reproductive isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Time-varying exposures like pet ownership pose challenges for identifying critical windows due to multicollinearity when modeled simultaneously. The Distributed Lag Model (DLM) estimates critical windows for time-varying exposures, which are mainly continuous variables. However, applying complex functions such as high-order splines and nonlinear functions within DLMs may not be suitable for situations with limited time points or binary exposure, such as in questionnaire surveys. Objectives: (1) We examined the estimation performance of a simple DLM with fractional polynomial function for time-varying binary exposures through simulation experiments. (2) We evaluated the impact of pet ownership on childhood wheezing onset and estimate critical windows. Methods: (1) We compared logistic regression including time-varying exposure in separate models, in one model simultaneously, and using DLM. For evaluation, we employed bias, empirical standard error (EmpSE), and mean squared error (MSE). (2) The Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS) is a prospective birth cohort study of approximately 100,000 parent-child pairs, registered across Japan from 2011 to 2014. We applied DLM to the JECS data up to age 3. The estimated odds ratios (OR) were considered to be within critical windows when they were significant at the 5% level. Results: (1) DLM and the separate model exhibited lower bias compared to the simultaneously model. Additionally, both DLM and the simultaneously model demonstrated lower EmpSEs than the separate model. In all scenarios, DLM had lower MSEs than the other methods. Specifically, where critical windows is clearly present and exposure correlation is high, DLM showed MSEs about 1/2 to 1/200 of those of other models. (2) Application of DLM to the JECS data showed that, unlike other models, a significant exposure effect was observed only between the ages of 0 and 6 months. During that periods, the highest ORs were 1.07 (95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.14) , observed between the ages of 2 and 5 months. Conclusions: (1) A simple DLM improves the accuracy of exposure effect and critical windows estimation. (2) 0–6 months may be the critical windows for the effect of pet ownership on the wheezing onset at 3 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For endemic benthos inhabiting hydrothermal vent fields, larval recruitment is critical for population maintenance and colonization via migration among separated sites. The vent‐endemic limpet, Lepetodrilus nux, is abundant at deep‐sea hydrothermal vents in the Okinawa Trough, a back‐arc basin in the northwestern Pacific; nonetheless, it is endangered due to deep‐sea mining. This species is associated with many other vent species and is an important successor in these vent ecosystems. However, limpet genetic diversity and connectivity among local populations have not yet been examined. We conducted a population genetics study of L. nux at five hydrothermal vent fields (maximum geographic distance, ~545 km; depths ~700 m to ~1650 m) using 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci previously developed. Genetic diversity has been maintained among these populations. Meanwhile, fine population genetic structure was detected between distant populations, even within this back‐arc basin, reflecting geographic distances between vent fields. There was a significant, positive correlation between genetic differentiation and geographic distance, but no correlation with depth. Contrary to dispersal patterns predicted by an ocean circulation model, genetic migration is not necessarily unidirectional, based on relative migration rates. While ocean circulation contributes to dispersal of L. nux among vent fields in the Okinawa Trough, genetic connectivity may be maintained by complex, bidirectional dispersal processes over multiple generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carpet cleaning guidelines currently do not include the use of an antimicrobial, except after a bodily fluid event. To address this gap, we compared the efficacy of three antimicrobials--two hydrogen peroxide-based (H2O2) products (A and B) and one chlorine-based product (C)--and a steam treatment against two norovirus surrogates, specifically feline calicivirus (FCV) and Tulane virus (TuV). These tests were performed on nylon carpets with either water-permeable or waterproof backing types. The effect of repeated antimicrobial use on carpet properties was also evaluated. For a carpet with water-permeable backing, products A, B, and C achieved a 0.8, 3.1, and 0.9 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and 0.3, 2.5, and 0.4 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV, respectively, following a 30 min contact time. For carpet with waterproof backing, only product B achieved a 5.0 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and >3.0 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV, whereas products A and C achieved a 2.4 and 1.6 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and a 1.2 and 1.2 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV, respectively. Steam treatment achieved a = 5.2 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and a > 3.2 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV in 15 seconds on the carpet with both backing types. The repeated use of products A and B decreased the tensile strength of the carpet backing, while use of product B resulted in cracks on carpet fibers. Overall, steam treatment for 15 seconds was efficacious on both carpet types, but only product B achieved efficacy after a 30-minute exposure on the carpet with waterproof backing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circumstances that precipitate interactions among species that have never interacted during their evolutionary histories create ideal conditions for the generation of zoonoses. Zoonotic diseases have caused some of the most devastating epidemics in human history. Contact among species that come from different ecosystems or regions creates the risk of zoonoses. In certain situations, humans are generating and promoting conditions that contribute to the creation of infectious diseases and zoonoses. These conditions lead to interactions between wildlife species that have hitherto not interacted under normal circumstances. I call for recognition of the zoonotic potential that novel and unwanted interactions have; identification of these new interactions that are occurring among wild animals, domestic animals, and humans; and efforts to stop these kinds of interactions because they can give rise to zoonotic outbreaks. Live animal markets, the exotic pet trade, illegal wildlife trade, human use and consumption of wild animals, invasive non‐native species, releasing of exotic pets, and human encroachment in natural areas are among the activities that cause the most interactions among wild species, domestic species, and humans. These activities should not occur and must be controlled efficiently to prevent future epidemic zoonoses. Society must develop a keen ability to identify these unnatural interactions and prevent them. Controlling these interactions and efficiently addressing their causal factors will benefit human health and, in some cases, lead to positive environmental, ethical, and socioeconomic outcomes. Until these actions are taken, humanity will face future zoonoses and zoonotic pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distant pet owners suffer from negative feelings such as distress or anxiety when separating from their pet dogs. Informed by prior work on facilitating intimacy between distant couples and among distant family members, we present the design and evaluation of the cAMpanion ambient display to enhance distant owner's sense of connectedness with their pet dogs. cAMpanion shows three statuses of pet dogs via different light colors in real-time enabled by sensor modules installed in pet dog's living environment. We examined the impact and effectiveness of cAMpanion via a 14-day field study using mixed methods research. Our qualitative data suggested that cAMpanion helped raise awareness, while quantitative results indicated statistically significant decrease in owners' negative emotions and increase in their perceived closeness. We discussed both advantages and limitations of cAMpanion from distant owners' perspective, and provided implications for future researchers who would like to design similar display to enhance human-animal connectedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Simple Summary: Anal sacs are paired skin invaginations present in most carnivores near the lateral margins of the anus and contain combined secretions of glands located in the anal sac wall. Anal sac disease is commonly seen in small animal practices, with a higher prevalence in dogs than in cats. The diagnosis of anal sac disease is usually based on the presentation of clinical signs and physical and rectal examination. However, the clinical signs are often non-specific and may be even absent, particularly in neoplastic cases. Ultrasonographic evaluation of anal sacs in dogs and cats is a practical, readily available, non-invasive, and low-cost modality and may enable the detection of anal sac disease at an early stage, even in asymptomatic patients. This study describes a presumed normal ultrasound morphology of anal sacs in dogs and cats, as well as the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of ultrasound screening of anal sacs in these companion animals. Ultrasonographic evaluation of canine and feline anal sacs is a practical promising modality to identify anal sac disease. However, limited data are available about normal ultrasound morphology of the anal sacs. This study describes the ultrasound morphology of presumed normal anal sacs in a larger sample of client-owned dogs and cats. A single-institutional prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was performed, and 137 dogs and 131 cats were included. The most common ultrasound features of the evaluated anal sacs in the dorsal plane were oval shape (99.3% of dogs and 98.5% of cats) and bilaterally similar content (94.2% of dogs and 95.4% of cats), mostly hypoechoic with diffusely hyperechoic points or unformed echogenic material (42.6% of dogs and 44% of cats). Gas in the lumen of the anal sac was detected in two dogs and mineralization in one dog. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between body weight and the size of anal sacs in dogs ≤15 kg and cats and a correlation between age and the size of anal sacs in cats. This simple method provides additional clinically significant information in detecting abnormal findings in asymptomatic patients and could contribute to the early detection of anal sac disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The present research explored the links between human–pet relationship duration, pet life stage, and four markers of relationship quality: pet-related self-expansion, perceived pet responsiveness, perceived pet insensitivity, and human–animal bond, for dog and cat owners. Human–pet relationship duration negatively predicted self-expansion for dog and cat owners, and self-expansion was also higher for owners of younger pets compared to owners of older pets. Perceived pet responsiveness, perceived pet insensitivity, and human–animal bond were not associated with relationship duration or pet life stage. The findings of the present research indicate that human–pet relationship duration and pet life stage have implications for how much people feel a pet helps them grow. Although many companion animal (or "pet") owners report that their relationships with their pets are important, we know little about how animal ownership duration and animal life stage are related to relationship quality. In a sample of 1303 dog and cat owners, the present research explored the associations between relationship duration, pet life stage (puppy/kitten, young adult, mature adult, and senior), and four markers of relationship quality: pet-related self-expansion, perceived pet responsiveness, perceived pet insensitivity, and human–animal bond. We found that relationship duration was negatively and linearly associated with self-expansion for both dog and cat owners. Results comparing relationship quality markers across pet life stages revealed that for both dog and cat owners, self-expansion was higher for owners of younger animals compared to owners of older animals. There were no significant effects for perceived pet responsiveness, perceived pet insensitivity, or human–animal bond based on relationship duration or animal life stage. These findings indicate that the duration of the relationship with one's pet and animal life stage have implications for how much people feel a pet helps them grow, whereas other markers of human–pet relationship quality likely vary based on other experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This review explores the wide-ranging applications of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques in veterinary medicine for companion animals. It addresses the need for advanced diagnostic and treatment approaches in veterinary care. The aims include understanding parasitic transmission, infectious disease dynamics, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, oncological processes, and genetic predispositions in animals. The article demonstrates NGS's efficacy in comprehensive parasite profiling, rapid pathogen identification, personalized tumor analysis, and genetic disease elucidation. Conclusions highlight the transformative potential of NGS in enhancing veterinary diagnostics, treatment planning, and disease management for companion animals. The review's insights promise to revolutionize veterinary care, enabling precise and tailored treatments, improving animal health outcomes, and advancing overall societal well-being through healthier and happier companion animals. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques have revolutionized veterinary medicine for cats and dogs, offering insights across various domains. In veterinary parasitology, NGS enables comprehensive profiling of parasite populations, aiding in understanding transmission dynamics and drug resistance mechanisms. In infectious diseases, NGS facilitates rapid pathogen identification, characterization of virulence factors, and tracking of outbreaks. Moreover, NGS sheds light on metabolic processes by elucidating gene expression patterns and metabolic pathways, essential for diagnosing metabolic disorders and designing tailored treatments. In autoimmune diseases, NGS helps identify genetic predispositions and molecular mechanisms underlying immune dysregulation. Veterinary oncology benefits from NGS through personalized tumor profiling, mutation analysis, and identification of therapeutic targets, fostering precision medicine approaches. Additionally, NGS plays a pivotal role in veterinary genetics, unraveling the genetic basis of inherited diseases and facilitating breeding programs for healthier animals. Physiological investigations leverage NGS to explore complex biological systems, unraveling gene–environment interactions and molecular pathways governing health and disease. Application of NGS in treatment planning enhances precision and efficacy by enabling personalized therapeutic strategies tailored to individual animals and their diseases, ultimately advancing veterinary care for companion animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hearing Dogs are assistance animals who provide practical help to their owners with hearing loss/Deafness by alerting them to environmental sounds. While some studies have verified the contribution of Hearing Dogs to their owners' quality of life, little is known about the relationship that is established between canine and owner. This survey study investigated the anticipated role of Hearing Dogs in 23 prospective owners, as well as emotional attachment in 58 Hearing Dog owners. Results revealed that prospective owners expected the dog to play a broad supportive role in their lives, beyond simple assistance with sounds. For owners, a strong emotional component was evident in their relationships with the Hearing Dogs, particularly in the "people substitution" category. This study suggests that the relationship expectations of potential Hearing Dog recipients should be achievable, as evidenced by the strong relationships reported by owners. The reported positive outcomes of animal-assisted services have led to an emerging interest in many different aspects of human–animal interactions. The influence of an assistance animal is thought to encompass several psychosocial domains in the life of a person with a significant health impairment. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the relationship between Hearing Dogs and their owners. A prospective study design using a written questionnaire method was utilized to survey 58 current and 23 prospective Australian Lions Hearing Dogs owners. The Pet Expectations Inventory (PEI) was used to investigate the anticipated role of Hearing Dogs in waitlisted persons with hearing loss/Deafness, whereas the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) was completed by current owners to assess emotional attachment. The results revealed a high mean PEI score (M = 73.1, SD = 10.9, Mdn = 73.0, range: 55–91), with prospective owners strongly expecting the role of Hearing Dogs to include companionship/love and security. Furthermore, strong attachment features were evident in the owners' relationships with Hearing Dogs, as demonstrated by a high total LAPS score (M = 81.2, SD = 7.5, range: 63–91). Mean scores for statements within the "people substitution" category were highest (range = 3.6/4.00–3.9/4.00). In this demographically homogenous study cohort, it appeared that the high expectations of potential Hearing Dog owners for their animals to serve supportive roles beyond hearing assistance should be achievable, as evidenced by the strong attachment relationships displayed between Hearing Dogs and their owners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subjective experience in conspiracy beliefs with its aggressive fantasies and vivid motif worlds offers exciting clues for a psychodynamic understanding. In this article it is explained to what extent the inner worlds of experience in conspiracy beliefs could offer metaphorical representations of the world view and the inner representations of self and object. In addition, the classical motifs in conspiracy beliefs are analyzed with respect to their possible psychodynamic function: (1) the puppet and its puppeteer, (2) the "awakened" vs. the "sleeping", (3) "against the current" vs. "mainstream", (4) "David vs. Goliath", (5) apocalyptic crises and "phoenix from the ashes", (6) border protection from "hostile invaders" and (7) self-provider and self-governor. Based on the choice of motives, hypotheses are put forward about the different forms of primary unconscious fears, psychological functions and favored coping styles. Finally, the extent to which mistrust in conspiracy beliefs as a familiar inner terrain could ultimately reflect past outer terrain, which is based on the biographical and sociocultural breeding ground of power and dependence in the parent-child relationship and (familial) experiences with state violence and care, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disenfranchised grief can be defined as a loss that is not openly acknowledged or a mourning process not recognized socially after a loss. One can also self-disenfranchise as suppressing and not allowing oneself to grieve. The current study aims to examine perceived disenfranchisement, self-disenfranchisement and disenfranchisement of others. For this purpose, three hypothetical unacknowledged loss scenarios, which are pet loss, a romantic relationship break-up and having a psychological disorder, were used to compare self and other disenfranchisement as well as to reveal the relationships to attachment and social support. The findings indicate that the three loss scenarios differ in terms of the acknowledgement of loss, grief and social and professional support for self and others. Subsequently, attachment and social support are significantly related to the evaluations of the disenfranchised grief process. Finally, the implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study had a correlational design and aimed to develop and validate a database of dual-perspective (entire face and ¾ face) face-focused photographs depicting pets (dogs, cats, miniature rabbits) and livestock animals (pigs and cattle). Participants (n = 268, 82% women, Mage = 28.2, SD = 8.5) viewed 72 pairs of photographs and evaluated each animal's similarity across two photographs, as well as their valence, typicality, familiarity, cuteness, and dangerousness. The results confirmed that livestock animals received lower ratings in terms of similarity across the two photographs and were perceived as less positively valenced, less typical, less familiar, less cute, and more dangerous compared with pets. Furthermore, individual characteristics were found to be related to the perception of animals. Compared with non-owners, pet owners rated both livestock and pets more positively valenced and cuter. Additionally, the frequency of meat consumption was associated with perceiving livestock animals as less positively valenced, less cute, and more dangerous. The database provides realistic and valid stimuli, which have the potential to facilitate investigations into animal perception and recognition within the context of human–animal relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is extensive literature on bereavement after the loss of pets, it has almost exclusively focused on traditional pets, such as cats and dogs, to the exclusion of many other species that are also popular pets. We targeted caregivers of less-traditional pets, such as reptiles, birds, fish, and exotics, to assess their experiences when grieving their loss. Specifically, we examined the manner in which they reported the loss and the degree of perceived support they received from close and more distant associates as well as their grief over the loss. We surveyed 464 pet owners, 337 of whom reported the loss of a pet other than a cat or dog. We examined whether their experiences of grief, sharing loss, and receiving support differed from those of cat and dog owners. We also assessed the role of the pet (i.e., as companion or other), whether they were housed in an enclosure, concerns about the pet, and problem behaviors as predictors, with the owner's attachment to the pet as a mediator. Pet role, enclosure, and attachment significantly predicted grief. Overall, attachment was a better predictor than pet type for grief, reporting of the loss, and perceived support from others. These findings suggest that owners experience grief similarly for traditional and nontraditional pets as long as they feel bonded to their pets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiencing the ghosts of the departed is a common, cross-cultural experience of grief; such interactions are part of so-called externalized continuing bonds and represent an ongoing relationship with the departed. This paper characterizes people's reported supernatural experiences with the spirits of their deceased dogs and analyzes them in the context of bereavement, externalized continuing bonds, and disenfranchised grief. Using a thematic analysis, 544 candid online comments from social media where people shared their supernatural experiences were studied. These comments fell into two major themes with six subthemes: physical experiences (hearing, seeing, and touching the ghost of a dog) and interpreted experiences (seeing signs in nature, receiving visits from the deceased dog in dreams, and attributing feelings and phenomena to the spirit of the dog). How people described the feelings associated with these supernatural visits were also studied; three themes were found: Positive Feelings, Mixed to Sad Feelings, and Messages. The vast majority of reported feelings (74.6%) were positive, bringing people comfort, reassurance, and a sense of protection. While psychology largely characterizes externalized continuing bonds – particularly seeing ghosts – as negative and even maladaptive, this is in conflict with the findings. These supernatural experiences may serve a different role for grieving dog guardians. Given that disenfranchised grief is common due to the lack of cultural support for people mourning their dogs, and grief over companion animals is often complicated by guilt, these supernatural experiences may serve as an important source of comfort and a way for the bereaved to engage with loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of our study were to investigate the suitability of human attachment concepts (anxiety and avoidance) in describing attachment to cats and to directly compare people's attachment to their romantic partner with that to a pet cat. We used the 12-item Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Short form (ECR-S) and the same measure adapted for cats. Items in the two measures had identical wording; only the attachment figure differed (e.g., "I feel close to my romantic partner" and "I feel close to my cat"). Items referred to a specific attachment figure (e.g., "my cat," not "cats"). We received 453 valid responses to our online survey from participants in a romantic relationship who also had one cat. Factor analysis of the adapted ECR-S (for cats) did not result in the same factors as the ECR-S for humans. However, the six components of attachment anxiety (fear of interpersonal rejection or abandonment, excessive need for approval from others, and distress when one's partner is unavailable or unresponsive) and avoidance (fear of dependence and interpersonal intimacy, excessive need for self-reliance, and reluctance to self-disclose) were structurally similar for both relationships. Although participants sought some degree of emotional support from their cats, they did not necessarily need reassurance from their cat or feel distress when their cat was unavailable to them the way they might about a romantic partner. The ECR needs further testing and external validation to be adapted for the human–cat relationship. Future research could investigate why the responses from cat owners do not result in the same attachment factors for cats as for romantic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence from "pet-friendly" workplaces highlights potential benefits associated with taking companion animals to work, including reduced stress among employees. Ornamental fishes carry a much lower risk than other companion animals and may be a suitable alternative in situations where other animals would introduce too great a risk (e.g., allergy, accidental injury). The aim of this study was to investigate whether watching an aquarium during the working day influenced employee wellbeing through the reduction of stress and improvements in stress-related outcomes. An embedded mixed-methods study was conducted, comprising two within-subjects trials (Trials A and B) and a qualitative follow-up. Participants were university employees and research students who participated during their working day. In Trial A (n = 30), the immediate effects of watching live fishes on mood, physiological stress, and cognitive performance were compared with the effects of watching a fish video or resting quietly. Although some outcomes improved from pre- to post-activity, there was no evidence that watching fishes (live or video) had greater effects than resting quietly. In Trial B (n = 27), the effects of repeatedly engaging in the same three activities over several weeks were examined. Watching fish videos was associated with improvements in "high pleasure-low arousal" and overall job-related affective wellbeing, but no further effects of condition were found. Qualitative follow-up data collected from a subset of participants from the experimental trials (n = 13) indicated that all three activities may be beneficial as leaving their desks provided detachment from work for a short period. Qualitative data suggested that live fishes were perceived as more engaging, but this did not translate to quantitative findings. Locating fish aquaria within offices (rather than a separate workplace location) may promote wellbeing by encouraging "microbreaks"; further research is needed to investigate this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in molecular imaging and drug targeting have created a renaissance in the development of radiopharmaceuticals for therapy and theranostics. While some radiopharmaceuticals, such as Na[131I]I, have been used clinically for decades, new agents are being approved using small‐molecules, peptides, and antibodies for targeting. As these agents are being developed, the need to understand dosimetry and biologic effects of the systemically delivered radiotherapy becomes more important, particularly as highly potent radiopharmaceuticals using targeted alpha therapy become clinically utilized. As the processes being targeted become more complex, and the radiobiology of different particulate radiation becomes more diverse, models that better recapitulate human cancer and geometry are necessary. Companion animals develop many of the same types of cancer, carrying many of the same genetic drivers as those seen in people, and the scale and geometry of tumours in dogs more closely mimics those in humans than murine tumour models. Key translational challenges in oncology, such as alterations in tumour microenvironment, hypoxia, heterogeneity, and geometry are addressed by companion animal models. This review paper will provide background on radiopharmaceutical targeting techniques, review the use of radiopharmaceuticals in companion animal oncology, and explore the translational value of treating these patients in terms of dosimetry, treatment outcomes, and normal tissue complication rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabies is one of the oldest viral diseases and it has been present on every continent except Antarctica. Within the U.S. human rabies cases are quite rare. In the eastern USA, raccoons are the main reservoir hosts and pet vaccination serves as an important barrier against human rabies exposure. In this paper, we develop a compartmental model for rabies transmission amongst raccoons and domestic pets. We find the disease-free equilibria, reproduction numbers for the raccoons and domestic pets. We also determine the vaccination coverage/rates, both for raccoons and pets, needed to achieve the elimination of rabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mānuka tree is unique to Aotearoa New Zealand and was recognised by early Māori traditions as a taonga (treasure) due to its wide variety of uses and is the first globally recognised taonga. Mānuka honey (MH) is reported to have exceptional antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The objective of this review is to summarise the current published peer-reviewed literature for benefits of the use of MH as a Rongoā (traditional medicine) in ruminant livestock and companion animals to support the potential use of MH as a therapeutic for companion animals and livestock. The key finding was that there is very little peer-reviewed literature providing scientific evidence for the use of MH as a therapeutic in livestock and companion animals. There are a wide range of products now commercially available that have MH as an active ingredient. However, further scientific studies are required to evaluate the direct effects of MH relative to its effects when used in conjunction with other compounds, dose–response effects, and the effect of the Unique Mānuka Factor and methylglyoxal levels on efficacy in order to provide scientific evidence to support the efficacy of MH as a functional food or therapeutic in livestock and companion animal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct symmetric self-similar Dirichlet forms on unconstrained Sierpinski carpets, which are natural extension of planar Sierpinski carpets by allowing the small cells to live off the 1/k grids. The intersection of two cells can be a line segment of irrational length, and the non-diagonal assumption is dropped in this recurrent setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circadian biology's impact on human physical health and its role in disease development and progression is widely recognized. The forefront of circadian rhythm research now focuses on translational applications to clinical medicine, aiming to enhance disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment responses. However, the field of circadian medicine has predominantly concentrated on human healthcare, neglecting its potential for transformative applications in veterinary medicine, thereby overlooking opportunities to improve non-human animal health and welfare. This review consists of three main sections. The first section focuses on the translational potential of circadian medicine into current industry practices of agricultural animals, with a particular emphasis on horses, broiler chickens, and laying hens. The second section delves into the potential applications of circadian medicine in small animal veterinary care, primarily focusing on our companion animals, namely dogs and cats. The final section explores emerging frontiers in circadian medicine, encompassing aquaculture, veterinary hospital care, and non-human animal welfare and concludes with the integration of One Health principles. In summary, circadian medicine represents a highly promising field of medicine that holds the potential to significantly enhance the clinical care and overall health of all animals, extending its impact beyond human healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing number of households owning pets, the importance of sensor data for recognizing pet behavior has grown significantly. However, challenges arise due to the costs and reliability issues associated with data collection. This paper proposes a method for classifying pet behavior using cleaned meta pseudo labels to overcome these issues. The data for this study were collected using wearable devices equipped with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers, and pet behaviors were classified into five categories. Utilizing this data, we analyzed the impact of the quantity of labeled data on accuracy and further enhanced the learning process by integrating an additional Distance Loss. This method effectively improves the learning process by removing noise from unlabeled data. Experimental results demonstrated that while the conventional supervised learning method achieved an accuracy of 82.9%, the existing meta pseudo labels method showed an accuracy of 86.2%, and the cleaned meta pseudo labels method proposed in this study surpassed these with an accuracy of 88.3%. These results hold significant implications for the development of pet monitoring systems, and the approach of this paper provides an effective solution for recognizing and classifying pet behavior in environments with insufficient labels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to early synanthropization and ecological and behavioural features, the White Stork Ciconia ciconia became the most cherished of European birds. Rooted in human culture, the species has been well studied; nevertheless, knowledge of people's attitudes and stork-related folk beliefs remain descriptive. Here, we attempt to quantify these issues in the world's largest stronghold of the species, Poland, in the 1950s. Methods: The study is based on recently discovered, original nationwide survey data from the 1958 International White Stork Census. These materials were gathered to assess the population size, but they also included issues belonging to the humanities. We have worked them up in a quantitative manner, which has resulted in an original approach rarely found in ethnological studies. We aim to propose an original typology of stork-related beliefs, their spread and regional diversity in Poland and the relationship with stork abundance. Results: A sample of 2343 questionnaires revealed that affection towards storks was widespread (91.4% positive responses), more so in eastern Poland. The most frequent beliefs relate to respect for the stork (65%) and prophesies (24%), thereafter parental beliefs (7%) and stork biology (3%). Positive attitudes and the dissemination of beliefs increased with stork densities but were unrelated to the respondents' sex. Utilitarian beliefs outweighed those prioritized in ethnographic studies (e.g. the stork's human origins) or popular today (baby-bringing), and expressed the real concerns of country folk. Conclusions: The discovery of long-lost data bordering on ethnology and nature conservation and their novel work-up highlights a realistic dimension of the human–nature relationship and provides a benchmark for further interdisciplinary research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Rodents have become increasingly popular as household pets, but few studies have focused on tumors in pet rodents. Pet rodents differ from their laboratory counterparts in many aspects such as geographical preference of pet species or breeds, household raising conditions, population density, and life expectancy. Therefore, it is worth conducting this pathological study of 77 spontaneous tumors from 70 pet rodents. Overall, mammary gland tumors were common. In the meantime, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like sequences were found in the tissues of dogs, cats, and humans, raising the concern of whether these pets may incidentally serve as a vehicle for the cross-species transmission of MMTV to household personnel. For that purpose, nuclei acid extracted from the formalin-fixed paraffine-embedded tissues of 20 rodent mammary gland tumors was detected for MMTV env gene sequences. All tumors revealed negative results of MMTV detection. Compared to the number of studies on the neoplasms of laboratory rodents, fewer studies have focused on spontaneous neoplasms in pet rodents. Notably, the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is associated with mammary tumors in rodents. In this study, 77 tumors and tumor-like lesions of biopsy samples were collected from 70 pet rodents, including hamsters (n = 47), guinea pigs (n = 16), unknown species (n = 4), rats (n = 2), and a gerbil. Fifty tumors were collected from 47 hamsters, in which the most common tumors were mammary tumors (13/50), followed by fibrosarcoma (9/50), mast cell tumors (4/50), and squamous cell carcinoma (4/50). The collected subtypes of mammary tumors in hamsters included tubular carcinoma (n = 5), tubular adenoma (n = 4), carcinoma and malignant myoepithelioma (n = 1), simple tubular carcinoma (n = 1), adenosquamous carcinoma (n = 1), and tubulopapillary adenoma (n = 1). In addition, twenty tumors were collected from guinea pigs, in which the most common tumor was lipoma (6/20), followed by adenocarcinoma of the mammary gland (4/20), trichofolliculoma (2/20), and collagenous hamartomas (2/20). In guinea pigs, the subtypes of mammary gland tumors were tubular carcinoma (n = 2), tubular and solid carcinoma (n = 1), and tubulopapillary carcinoma (n = 1). In 20 cases of mammary tumors, MMTV was not detected, implicating no evidence of MMTV infection in mammary oncogenesis in pet rodents in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Access to veterinary care for pet owners is an important part of keeping animals healthy. Not having enough money and other resources can make it hard for pet owners to get veterinary care. Recently, veterinarians have started offering a range of care options to address clients' needs. But veterinarians still mainly give the most technological and specialized care they learned in their training. The goal of this study was to learn more about veterinarians' behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about offering more treatments in a range from less to more sophisticated. This study found that many veterinarians do report offering a range, but that it is mostly the veterinarians who feel the most comfortable and confident doing it. When veterinarians had been in practice for more than 20 years, they were less likely to offer a range of services. Rural veterinarians were more likely to offer a range than urban veterinarians. These results offer a reference for more exploration into what veterinarians report about offering a range of care options to people who need help. Access to veterinary care for animal owners is an important part of keeping animals healthy and keeping pets and people together whenever that is appropriate. Insufficient financial and other resources to allocate to veterinary care are major barriers for pet owners to receiving preventative, sick, and emergency services. The veterinary community has begun to incorporate offering a range of diagnostic and treatment options more intentionally in response to clients' inability to pay and to a lesser extent to mitigate other barriers to care. Many veterinarians are nonetheless oriented toward providing specialized and more sophisticated care based on their training. This study sought to identify the self-reported behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of veterinarians about offering a spectrum of care options (SoC) to clients. The finding that many reported offering SoC is encouraging. However, veterinarians who report comfort and confidence in a variety of aspects of clinical care were most likely to offer SoC. Practitioners in the field for 20 or more years were less likely to offer SoC to clients with financial limitations. Rural veterinarians were more likely to offer SoC to any client compared to urban veterinarians. These results provide a point of reference and potential focus for veterinarians who are not currently offering SoC as well as an exploration of veterinarians' reported knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, perceptions, and concerns about SoC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rectal temperature (RT) is an important index of core temperature, which has guiding significance for the diagnosis and treatment of pet diseases. Objectives: Development and evaluation of an alternative method based on machine learning to determine the core temperatures of cats and dogs using surface temperatures. Animals: 200 cats and 200 dogs treated between March 2022 and May 2022. Methods: A group of cats and dogs were included in this study. The core temperatures and surface body temperatures were measured. Multiple machine learning methods were trained using a cross-validation approach and evaluated in one retrospective testing set and one prospective testing set. Results: The machine learning models could achieve promising performance in predicting the core temperatures of cats and dogs using surface temperatures. The root mean square errors (RMSE) were 0.25 and 0.15 for cats and dogs in the retrospective testing set, and 0.15 and 0.14 in the prospective testing set. Conclusion: The machine learning model could accurately predict core temperatures for companion animals of cats and dogs using easily obtained body surface temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fissurella latimarginata and Fissurella cumingi are two sympatric species found along the southwestern coast of South America. We conducted a comparative analysis of oocyte size and their coats between these species and investigated early development using chemically activated gametes. Additionally, heterologous fertilizations were conducted to assess the presence of a reproductive isolation barrier between the species. The mean diameter of the oocyte and gelatinous coat did not show significant differences between species, but there were differences regarding the vitelline coat. However, the practical utility of this trait as taxonomic character for species discrimination is hindered by variance overlap. Chemical activation of gametes enabled homologous fertilizations, resulting in the production of healthy and viable trochophore larvae. Early development, from fertilisation to hatch of these larvae, takes 28.5–45.5 h in both species. Heterologous fertilizations were also successful, resulting in the hatching of trochophore hybrid larvae, indicating effective interactions between the gametes of both species and viable postzygotic larval development. However, further research should focus on determining if there is asymmetry in gametic compatibility, obtaining veliger larvae, or even more advanced ontogenetic stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance is considered one of the most critical threat for both human and animal health. Recently, reports of infection or colonization by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in companion animals had been described. This study report the first molecular characterization of NDM-producing Enterobacterales causing infections in companion animals from Argentina. Nineteen out of 3662 Enterobacterales isolates analyzed between October 2021 and July 2022 were resistant to carbapenemes by VITEK2C and disk diffusion method, and suspected to be carbapenemase-producers. Ten isolates were recovered from canine and nine from feline animals. Isolates were identified as K. pneumoniae (n = 9), E. coli (n = 6) and E. cloacae complex (n = 4), and all of them presented positive synergy among EDTA and carbapenems disks, mCIM/eCIM indicative of metallo-carbapenemase production and were also positive by PCR for blaNDM gene. NDM variants were determined by Sanger sequencing method. All 19 isolates were resistant to β-lactams and aminoglycosides but remained susceptible to colistin (100%), tigecycline (95%), fosfomycin (84%), nitrofurantoin (63%), minocycline (58%), chloramphenicol (42%), doxycycline (21%), enrofloxacin (5%), ciprofloxacin (5%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (5%). Almost all isolates (17/19) co-harbored blaCTX-M plus blaCMY, one harbored blaCTX-M alone and the remaining blaCMY. E. coli and E. cloacae complex isolates harbored blaCTX-M-1/15 or blaCTX-M-2 groups, while all K. pneumoniae harbored only blaCTX-M-1/15 genes. All E. coli and E. cloacae complex isolates harbored blaNDM-1, while in K. pneumoniae blaNDM-1 (n = 6), blaNDM-5 (n = 2), and blaNDM-1 plus blaNDM-5 (n = 1) were confirmed. MLST analysis revealed the following sequence types by species, K. pneumoniae: ST15 (n = 5), ST273 (n = 2), ST11, and ST29; E. coli: ST162 (n = 3), ST457, ST224, and ST1196; E. cloacae complex: ST171, ST286, ST544 and ST61. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of NDM-producing E. cloacae complex isolates recovered from cats. Even though different species and clones were observed, it is remarkable the finding of some major clones among K. pneumoniae and E. coli, as well as the circulation of NDM as the main carbapenemase. Surveillance in companion pets is needed to detect the spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and to alert about the dissemination of these pathogens among pets and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Companion animal obesity is a major concern worldwide, leading to health issues and reduced lifespan. Current treatments have had limited success, but new possibilities are emerging from human medicine breakthroughs. This review discusses how GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide, designed for human diabetes treatment and recently approved by FDA as weight loss drugs, may be useful for future veterinary applications. These drugs were proven effective in rodents, primates, and humans and are promising for combating obesity in companion animals. Despite multiple health benefits described in humans, further studies are needed to assess their safety and effectiveness in veterinary medicine. Companion animal obesity has emerged as a significant veterinary health concern globally, with escalating rates posing challenges for preventive and therapeutic interventions. Obesity not only leads to immediate health problems but also contributes to various comorbidities affecting animal well-being and longevity, with consequent emotional and financial burdens on owners. While past treatment strategies have shown limited success, recent breakthroughs in human medicine present new opportunities for addressing this complex issue in companion animals. Here, we discuss the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists, specifically semaglutide and tirzepatide, already approved for human use, for addressing companion animal obesity. These drugs, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes in humans and subsequently repurposed to treat obesity, have demonstrated remarkable weight loss effects in rodents, non-human primates and people. Additionally, newer drug combinations have shown even more promising results in clinical trials. Despite current cost and supply challenges, advancements in oral and/or extended-release formulations and increased production may make these drugs more accessible for veterinary use. Thus, these drugs may have utility in companion animal weight management, and future feasibility studies exploring their efficacy and safety in treating companion animal obesity are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borichangar, R.V.; Vyas, U.D.; Parmar, J.N.; Vanza, J.G.; Solanki, H.G., and Pathak, N., 2024. Additional record and taxonomic description of the Arabian carpet shark, Chiloscyllium arabicum, from Dholai Port, southwest coast of Gujarat, India. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(3), 617–622. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. The present study reports an additional record of the Arabian carpet shark, Chiloscyllium arabicum, off Dholai Port, southwest coast of Gujarat, India. Two specimens were caught in a bottom trawl net at a depth of 30–32 m around the southwest coast of Gujarat. The total length and weight of the male and female specimens were recorded as 56.10 cm and 812.5 g and 52.80 cm and 681 g, respectively. In total, 119 morphometric parameters were closely observed and recorded for the taxonomic identification and confirmation of the species. Previously, C. arabicum has been reported from Okha, Mangrol, and Veraval ports along the northwest coast of Gujarat. This study serves as the initial report of the presence of the Arabian carpet shark from Dholai Port, southwest coast of Gujarat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) is the pesticidal active ingredient found in some flea and tick collars for dogs and cats. Recent studies sponsored by The Hartz Mountain Corporation, confirm the safety of TCVP as an active ingredient in pet collars. Based upon data from these new studies and results previously relied upon by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the following conclusions have been made: Torsion study data clearly indicate that approximately 93% of released formulation from TCVP containing pet collars is in a liquid phase immediately following activation. Further, even more relevant to human health risk analysis associated with post-application exposures, in vivo data from dogs wearing TCVP pet collars definitively document that TCVP dust released from the collar is rapidly absorbed into the sebum. The maximum ratio of dust to liquid was 0.023% dust to 99.977% liquid. In vivo fur data provide scientific evidence confirming that the mechanism of dissemination of TCVP from pet collars is as a liquid suspended or dissolved in the animal's sebum, even though it may be released from the collar as a solid. Thus, potential post-application exposure to TCVP, including immediately following collar placement, is almost entirely to a liquid phase. Based upon EPA's refined and conservative "untrimmed" collar risk assessment, post-application incidental oral hand-to-mouth activity by children aged 1 to <2 years of age results in margins of exposure significantly greater than the level of concern of 1000, and therefore do not present unreasonable health risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To document and evaluate a novel partnership model of a safekeeping program for pets owned by domestic violence victims between May 1,2021, and June l, 2023. ANIMALS 19 animals referred to the program. METHODS Procedures for identification, intake, medical and behavioral needs, and shelter of pets belonging to domestic violence victims were established and cases reviewed over the program's initial 2 years. RESULTS 13 dogs and 6 cats belonging to 13 owners were referred to the program. Seven dogs and 1 cat were placed into foster housing. Most pets were intact. One pet had medical concerns at intake (cardiac disease and seizures). Five pets were returned to their owners after an average stay of 5.3 weeks. Two pets were rehomed to new owners. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Veterinarians are likely to encounter pets affected by domestic violence and may be mandatory reporters in some states. This paper will aid veterinarians and community partners to understand the challenges and pet types they are likely to encounter and how best to assist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the differences in baseline staging of anal squamous cell carcinoma based on CT, MRI, and PET/CT, and the resultant impact on the radiation plan. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent baseline pelvic MRI, CT, and PET/CT (all examinations within 3 weeks of each other) from January 2010 to April 2020. CTs, MRIs, and PET/CTs were re-interpreted by three separate radiologists. Several imaging features were assessed; tumor stage was determined based on the eight edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual; and T (tumor), N (node), and M (metastasis) categories were determined based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Radiologist assessments were then randomly presented to a radiation oncologist who formulated the radiation plan in a blinded fashion. Results: Across 28 patients (median age, 62 years [range, 31–78], T-category classification was significantly different on PET/CT compared to MRI and CT (p = 0.037 and 0.031, respectively). PET/CT staged a higher proportion of patients with T1/T2 disease (16/28, 57%) compared to MRI (11/28, 39%) and CT (10/28, 36%). MRI staged a higher proportion of patients with T3/T4 disease (14/28, 50%) compared to CT (12/28, 43%) and PET/CT (11/28, 39%). However, there was no significant difference between the three imaging modalities in terms of either N-category, AJCC staging, or NCCN TNM group classification, or in treatment planning. Conclusion: Our exploratory study showed that MRI demonstrated a higher proportion of T3/T4 tumors, while PET/CT demonstrated more T1/T2 tumors; however, MRI, CT, and PET/CT did not show any significant differences in AJCC and TNM group categories, nor was there any significant difference in treatment doses between them when assessed independently by an experienced radiation oncologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This research looks at how people acquire their dogs, how dogs leave their homes, and how both relate to household income. A survey of 6318 participants in seven distinct communities across the US asked respondents how they acquired their current dogs, how previous dogs left their household, where they left to, and what their income is. We found that, the lower the income, the more likely people obtained their dog through friends and family, while the opposite was true for buying or adopting a dog. At the same time, people in lower-income categories were more likely to give away a dog to friends and family versus to an animal shelter. This means lower-income communities rely more on their friends and family for acquiring and placing their dogs, and we suggest that animal shelters should support these people and their pets to help them stay with those caring for them, rather than solely seeing them as potential adopters. This research examines the ways people acquire dogs in the US as well as the ways the dogs leave the household and the way these differ by income level in seven geographically diverse study communities. A web-based panel survey was distributed and received 6318 responses. Individuals were asked a series of demographic and socioeconomic questions as well as how they acquired their current dogs, how previous dogs left their household, and where they left to. The results indicate that the likelihood of acquiring a dog through friends and family decreased monotonically as income increased, while the opposite was observed for adopting and purchasing a dog. The likelihood of giving a dog away to a friend or family member also decreased as income increased, as opposed to shelter surrender—a person earning over USD 100,000 annually was more than four times likelier to surrender to a shelter than a person earning under USD 15,000. The results suggest a stronger reliance on informal social networks in lower-income communities for both obtaining and placing dogs. As these dogs would otherwise end up in the shelter system, animal shelters may support low-income pet owners to help keep their dogs within their community of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Avian influenza viruses are highly contagious respiratory viruses that severely impact bird populations, causing significant morbidity, mortality, and economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Particularly concerning are the Asian-origin H5 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b, which emerged in 2013 and have since spread across Asia, Europe, Africa, and America, leading to outbreaks in various poultry and animal species. The unique epidemiological and pathobiological characteristics specific to clade 2.3.4.4b viruses are discussed, emphasizing their distinct nature compared to other clades. Wild waterfowl, acting as reservoirs, frequently carry these viruses, posing threats not only to their populations but also to other wild bird species, including endangered ones. Furthermore, an increasing number of clade 2.3.4.4b virus infections in wild or domestic mammalian species raises significant concerns about potential spillover events to humans. This review highlights the diverse outcomes of HPAI infections in different hosts, ranging from asymptomatic cases to fatal infection, influenced by host and virus-related factors. Understanding these complexities is vital for developing effective strategies to mitigate the impact of AIVs, safeguard poultry production, protect wildlife, and prevent potential public health crises. Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are highly contagious respiratory viruses of birds, leading to significant morbidity and mortality globally and causing substantial economic losses to the poultry industry and agriculture. Since their first isolation in 2013–2014, the Asian-origin H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) of clade 2.3.4.4b have undergone unprecedented evolution and reassortment of internal gene segments. In just a few years, it supplanted other AIV clades, and now it is widespread in the wild migratory waterfowl, spreading to Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Wild waterfowl, the natural reservoir of LPAIVs and generally more resistant to the disease, also manifested high morbidity and mortality with HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b. This clade also caused overt clinical signs and mass mortality in a variety of avian and mammalian species never reported before, such as raptors, seabirds, sealions, foxes, and others. Most notably, the recent outbreaks in dairy cattle were associated with the emergence of a few critical mutations related to mammalian adaptation, raising concerns about the possibility of jumping species and acquisition of sustained human-to-human transmission. The main clinical signs and anatomopathological findings associated with clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in birds and non-human mammals are hereby summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The search for alternative treatments is necessary for diseases where conventional therapies are ineffective. In recent years, therapies using mesenchymal stem cells have emerged as one of the most appropriate alternatives in regenerative medicine. Therapy with these types of cells is progressively increasing as a therapeutic option in veterinary medicine, leading to significant advances in treating certain pathologies. This review summarizes the current knowledge on mesenchymal stem cell therapies and their potential therapeutic and clinical effects on wound and skin, ocular, and neuromuscular diseases in dogs and cats. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered a very promising alternative tool in cell therapies and regenerative medicine due to their ease of obtaining from various tissues and their ability to differentiate into different cell types. This manuscript provides a review of current knowledge on the use of MSC-based therapies as an alternative for certain common pathologies in dogs and cats where conventional treatments are ineffective. The aim of this review is to assist clinical veterinarians in making decisions about the suitability of each protocol from a clinical perspective, rather than focusing solely on research. MSC-based therapies have shown promising results in certain pathologies, such as spinal cord injuries, wounds, and skin and eye diseases. However, the effectiveness of these cell therapies can be influenced by a wide array of factors, leading to varying outcomes. Future research will focus on designing protocols and methodologies that allow more precise and effective MSC treatments for each case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In spite of significant reductions in the numbers of animals entering shelters and being killed there over the last decades, the beliefs that companion animals must be under the direct control of a human guardian, and that capturing and often killing animals is morally justifiable and even necessary, continue to guide animal sheltering practices in the United States. Looking at the historical origins of animal control and sheltering in the US reveals a high level of consistency in ideologies and practices across almost 150 years. In this commentary, two scholars on animal sheltering in the US examine the historical legacies of animal control and sheltering in the US to show how they are problematic and dysfunctional and need to be abandoned to improve the lives of companion animals and the human communities of which they are a part. This paper examines the legacies of the emergence of the animal control and sheltering industry in the United States and their impact on contemporary public animal shelters. While decades of gradual reform have helped substantially reduce the number of animals entering shelters and being killed there, contemporary animal sheltering largely continues to follow the path set when animal sheltering developed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Three key interrelated legacies of the pound model of early animal control and sheltering enduringly shape sheltering today: (1) the institutional culture of animal shelters grounded in the logics of caging and killing; (2) the lack of visibility and transparency, especially within government shelters; and (3) the economic logics of the pound model, including the disparities in sheltering resources across communities. Examining the origins of animal control and sheltering and identifying the specific legacies of this pound model within contemporary government-funded shelters improves understanding of why such shelters in the US have developed with a particular set of practices and ideologies, and thus provides an important footing for envisioning and enacting radical changes in animal sheltering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Face-to-face 'Pet Bereavement Counselling' (PBC) has been established in private practice to support bereaved animal companion owners, however, to date no research has been conducted on PBC. This study aimed to contribute to the existing knowledge base on animal companion loss and provide a preliminary research base on the potential salience of PBC. Six qualified and accredited PBC therapists were recruited and took part in semi-structured interviews. An inductive thematic analysis revealed participants' perspectives on the acknowledgement of animal companion loss societally and within counselling professions, the diverse ways animal companion loss can impact on bereaved owners, as well as the distinctive attributes and delivery of PBC. The findings have implications for how animal companion loss is conceptualised within counselling professions, teaching and research. Future research recommendations include exploring how bereaved owners experience PBC and how mental health professionals can build upon the support provided to bereaved owners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Companion animals, including dogs and cats, are frequently identified as sources of Pasteurella multocida, a bacterium that can be transmitted to humans and cause infections. Objectives: This survey defines the prevalence, antibiotic sensitivity, capsular types, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) types and virulence factors of P. multocida isolated from cats. Methods: A total of 100 specimens from various cat breeds were collected. P. multocida was characterized using both biochemical tests and PCR. Genotypes of isolates were determined using capsular and LPS typing methods. Additionally, virulotyping was performed by detecting the presence of 12 virulence‐associated genes. Disk diffusion was used to determine the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates. Results: The prevalence of P. multocida in cats was 29%. Among the isolates, the majority were capsular type A (96.5%) and type D (3.4%), with a predominant presence of type A. Twenty‐six of the isolates (89.66%) belonged to LPS genotype L6, whereas three isolates (10.3%) belonged to genotype L3. Among the 12 virulence genes examined, sodC, oma87, ptfA, nanB and ompH showed remarkable prevalence (100%). The toxA gene was detected in four isolates (13.8%). Variations were observed in other virulence genes. The nanH gene was present in 93.1% of the isolates, whereas the pfhA gene was detected in 58.6% of the isolates. The exbD‐tonB, hgbB, sodA and hgbA genes showed prevalence rates of 96.5%, 96.5%, 96.5% and 82.8%, respectively. Additionally, particular capsule and LPS types were associated with specific virulence genes. Specifically, the toxA and pfhA genes were found to be more prevalent in isolates with capsular type A and LPS genotype L6. Most isolates were resistant to ampicillin, clindamycin, lincomycin, streptomycin and penicillin. Conclusions: According to this epidemiological and molecular data, P. multocida from cats possess several virulence‐associated genes and are resistant to antimicrobial medicines commonly used in humans and animals. Thus, it is crucial to consider the public health concerns of P. multocida in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]