Objective: Direct-to-consumer (D2C) genetic tests are increasingly accessible to pet owners, with commercial genetic companies entering veterinary distribution markets. This study evaluated veterinary care providers' (VCPs) awareness of the D2C genetic industry, experiences with clients' inquiries, perceptions of clinical utility, and confidence in interpreting test results.
Methods: Veterinary care providers attending a professional conference (February 19 through 23, 2023) were invited to complete an online survey.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev
February 2025
Aim: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of parent-completed Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3) to identify abnormal or delayed gross motor development in infants born less than 1000 g or less than 28 weeks gestation.
Methods: Prospective cohort study of high-risk infants comparing ASQ-3 as the index test with concurrent score on Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) as the reference standard, at 4-, 8- and 12-month corrected (post-term) age. Reference standard positivity cut-offs were 'Abnormal motor development' (AIMS Clinical Range) and 'Motor delay' (AIMS score >1 SD below mean, not captured in Clinical Range).
Background Aims: With the continuous development and advancement of human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived cell therapies, an ever-increasing number of clinical indications can benefit from their application. Due to the capacity for PSCs to form teratomas, safety testing is required to ensure the absence of residual PSCs in a cell product. To mitigate these limitations, in vitro analytical methods can be utilized as quality control after the production of a PSC-derived cell product.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe benefits of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) involving animals in therapy are widely accepted. The presence of animals in therapy can decrease a patient's reservation about therapy and promote a sense of comfort and rapport during the therapy process. Using survey data from college students ( = 152) attending a large public four-year institution, this study is the first to investigate the benefits of virtual animal stimuli during academic advising appointments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDirect-to-consumer genetic services allow companion animal guardians to purchase a DNA test and receive detailed results about their pet's ancestry, health, and traits results. In collaboration with Wisdom Panel, we present novel findings about consumer motivations, perceptions, and responses to their use of canine genomic services. Wisdom Panel customers were invited to complete an online survey anonymously in which they were asked about their reasons for using a genetic test for their dog, how they perceived the test's results, and how they responded to the results they received.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLipids contribute to the structure, development, and function of healthy brains. Dysregulated lipid metabolism is linked to aging and diseased brains. However, our understanding of lipid metabolism in aging brains remains limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe reliable and cost-efficient manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is essential to fulfil their ever-growing demand. Cell death in bioreactors reduces productivity and product quality, and is largely attributed to apoptosis. In perfusion bioreactors, this leads to the necessity of a bleed stream, which negatively affects the overall process economy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: To investigate the prevalence and prognostic value of 'low-normal' motor skills in infants at high-risk for poor developmental outcomes.
Method: Infants born extremely low-birthweight and extremely preterm discharged from neonatal intensive care between 2015 and 2018 completed the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), Neuro-Sensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA) at corrected age 4, 8, and 12 months, and Griffiths Mental Development Scale at corrected age 12 months.
Results: Participating infants (n = 191) with a mean gestational age (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 26.
Currently, there is no available vaccine against hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) in Australia. Although it is assumed that subclinical HEV infections occur and may be associated with an increase in colibacillosis in Australian commercial turkey flocks, the prevalence of infection with this virus in the country is largely unknown. The aims of this study were to determine the extent of HEV infection in commercial flocks in Australia and to investigate the diversity of Australian HEV strains.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the primary platform for the production of biopharmaceuticals. To increase yields, many CHO cell lines have been genetically engineered to resist cell death. However, the kinetics that governs cell fate in bioreactors are confounded by many variables associated with batch processes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMars Petcare introduced the first direct-to-consumer domestic dog genetic test in 2009 and Basepaws introduced the first direct-to-consumer cat genetic test in 2016. Social science research has evaluated numerous aspects of the human direct-to-consumer market, yet no such exploration has evaluated the occurrence of pet owners pursuing pet genetic tests. Using a mixed methods approach, we conducted an exploratory content analysis of direct-to-consumer pet genetic company webpages and consumer reviews shared on Amazon.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Extensive research has evaluated the involvement of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in human social behaviors, including parent-infant relationships. Studies have investigated OT's connection to human attachment to nonhuman animals, with the majority of the literature focusing on domestic dogs (). Utilizing what is known about OT and its role in maternal-infant and human-dog bonding, we apply these frameworks to the study of human-domestic cat () interactions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere exists a set of factors termed oncofetal proteins that play key roles in ontogeny before they decline or disappear as the organism's tissues achieve homeostasis, only to then re-emerge in cancer. Although the unique therapeutic potential presented by such factors has been recognized for more than a century, their clinical utility has yet to be fully realized1. This review highlights the small signaling protein CRIPTO encoded by the tumor derived growth factor 1 (/) gene, an oft cited oncofetal protein whose presence in the cancer literature as a tumor promoter, diagnostic marker and viable therapeutic target continues to grow.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTherapy resistance and metastatic processes in prostate cancer (PCa) remain undefined, due to lack of experimental models that mimic different disease stages. We describe an androgen-dependent PCa patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model from treatment-naïve, soft tissue metastasis (PNPCa). RNA and whole-exome sequencing of the PDX tissue and organoids confirmed transcriptomic and genomic similarity to primary tumor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: CRIPTO is a multi-functional signaling protein that promotes stemness and oncogenesis. We previously developed a CRIPTO antagonist, ALK4-Fc, and showed that it causes loss of the stem cell phenotype in normal mammary epithelia suggesting it may similarly inhibit CRIPTO-dependent plasticity in breast cancer cells.
Methods: We focused on two triple negative breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468) to measure the effects of ALK4-Fc on cancer cell behavior under nutrient deprivation and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are widely used in biopharmaceutical production. Improvements to cell lines and bioprocesses are constantly being explored. One of the major limitations of CHO cell culture is that the cells undergo apoptosis, leading to rapid cell death, which impedes reaching high recombinant protein titres.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAldosterone and cortisone are released in response to physical and psychological stress. However, aldosterone and cortisone responses in children engaged in physical competition have not been described. We examined salivary aldosterone and salivary cortisone responses among Hong Kongese boys, aged 8-11 years, during (1) a soccer match against unknown competitors ( = 84, high psychological stress condition) and (2) an intrasquad soccer scrimmage against teammates ( = 81, low psychological stress condition).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCripto is a small glycosylphosphatidylinisitol (GPI)-anchored and secreted oncofetal protein that plays important roles in regulating normal physiological processes, including stem cell differentiation, embryonal development, and tissue growth and remodeling, as well as pathological processes such as tumor initiation and progression. Cripto functions as a co-receptor for TGF-β ligands such as Nodal, GDF1, and GDF3. Soluble and secreted forms of Cripto also exhibit growth factor-like activity and activate SRC/MAPK/PI3K/AKT pathways.
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