Unraveling the DNA methylation landscape in dog blood across breeds.

Background: DNA methylation is a covalent bond modification that is observed mainly at cytosine bases in the context of CG pairs. DNA methylation patterns reflect the status of individual tissues, such as cell composition, age, and the local environment, in mammals. Genetic factors also impact DNA methylation, and the genetic diversity among various dog breeds provides a valuable platform for exploring this topic.

Use of genome-wide DNA methylation analysis to identify prognostic CpG site markers associated with longer survival time in dogs with multicentric high-grade B-cell lymphoma.

Background: DNA methylation analysis might identify prognostic CpG sites in CHOP-treated dogs with multicentric high-grade B-cell lymphoma (MHGL) with heterogenous prognosis.

Objective: To identify prognostic CpG sites of MHGL through genome-wide DNA methylation analysis with pyrosequencing validation.

Animals: Test group: 24 dogs.

Negative Selection on a SOD1 Mutation Limits Canine Degenerative Myelopathy While Avoiding Inbreeding.

Several hundred disease-causing mutations are currently known in domestic dogs. Breeding management is therefore required to minimize their spread. Recently, genetic methods such as direct-to-consumer testing have gained popularity; however, their effects on dog populations are unclear.

Hypoxia and lactate influence VOC production in A549 lung cancer cells.

Cancer cells emit characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are potentially generated from ROS-based lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The metabolism of such VOCs and their regulation remain to be fully investigated. In fact, the enzymes involved in the synthesis of these VOCs have not been described yet.

Prebiotic effect of poly-D-3-hydroxybutyrate prevents dyslipidemia in obese mice.

Obesity is a global health problem caused by genetic, environmental, and psychological factors and is associated with various health disorders. As such, there is a growing focus on the prevention of obesity and related diseases. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in these diseases and has become a therapeutic target.

Pilot evaluation of a single oral fecal microbiota transplantation for canine atopic dermatitis.

The gut microbiota has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). However, the gut microbiota has not been well characterized in dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). In addition, the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in dogs with AD remains unclear.

Characterization of the oral and faecal microbiota associated with atopic dermatitis in dogs selected from a purebred Shiba Inu colony.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and relapsing multifactorial inflammatory skin disease that also affects dogs. The oral and gut microbiota are associated with many disorders, including allergy. Few studies have addressed the oral and gut microbiota in dogs, although the skin microbiota has been studied relatively well in these animals.

Improvement of anemia in five dogs with nonregenerative anemia treated with allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells.

Background: Nonregenerative anemia is occasionally seen in dogs and can be caused by many factors, among which nonregenerative immune-mediated anemia (NRIMA) and pure red cell anemia are relatively common causes. These are thought to be caused by immune-mediated destruction of the erythroid lineage and are treated with immunosuppressive drugs, but some of them are refractory or recurrent, so new treatments are needed.

Objectives: To examine the efficacy of allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for the treatment of nonregerative anemia in dogs.

Screening of bacterial DNA in bile sampled from healthy dogs and dogs suffering from liver- or gallbladder-associated disease.

Although the biliary system is generally aseptic, gallbladder microbiota has been reported in humans and some animals apart from dogs. We screened and analyzed the bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid in canine gallbladders using bile sampled from 7 healthy dogs and 52 dogs with liver- or gallbladder-associated disease. PCR screening detected bacteria in 17.

Successful Laparoscopic Oviductal Artificial Insemination in the Endangered Tsushima Leopard Cat ().

The Tsushima leopard cat () is an endangered wild felid that lives solely on Tsushima Island, Nagasaki, Japan. Japan's Ministry of the Environment is working with the Japanese Association of Zoo and Aquariums for ex situ conservation of this species. However, considering genetic diversity, it is difficult to conduct captive breeding programs by natural breeding alone; hence, assisted reproductive technologies are required.

Proof of Gene Doping in a Mouse Model with a Human Erythropoietin Gene Transferred Using an Adenoviral Vector.

Despite the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ban on gene doping in the context of advancements in gene therapy, the risk of gene-based doping among athletes is still present. To address this and similar risks, gene-doping tests are being developed in doping control laboratories worldwide. In this regard, the present study was performed with two objectives: to develop a robust gene-doping mouse model with the human gene (h) transferred using recombinant adenovirus (rAdV) as a vector and to develop a detection method to identify gene doping by using this model.

One Week of CDAHFD Induces Steatohepatitis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction with Oxidative Stress in Liver.

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been rapidly increasing worldwide. A choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) has been used to create a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). There are some reports on the effects on mice of being fed a CDAHFD for long periods of 1 to 3 months.

DNA methylation landscape of 16 canine somatic tissues by methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme-based next generation sequencing.

DNA methylation plays important functions in gene expression regulation that is involved in individual development and various diseases. DNA methylation has been well studied in human and model organisms, but only limited data exist in companion animals like dog. Using methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme-based next generation sequencing (Canine DREAM), we obtained canine DNA methylation maps of 16 somatic tissues from two dogs.

Role of Light and Plant Hormones in Stem Parasitic Plant (Cuscuta and Cassytha) Twining and Haustoria Induction.

Cuscuta and Cassytha are two distinct stem parasitic plant genera developing haustoria at their stem. The initial step to parasitization is twining onto the host plant. Although twining is the critical first step, less attention has been paid to this aspect in stem haustoria parasitic plant studies.

Successful outcome after a single endoscopic fecal microbiota transplantation in a Shiba dog with non-responsive enteropathy during the treatment with chlorambucil.

A 7-year 6-month-old, castrated male Shiba dog presented with a 1-month history of lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, and frequent watery diarrhea. Weight loss, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, and leukocytosis were detected at the first visit. The dog was diagnosed with non-responsive enteropathy (NRE) based on clinical and histopathological examinations.

Combined change of behavioral traits for domestication and gene-networks in mice selectively bred for active tameness.

Tameness is a major element of animal domestication and involves two components: motivation to approach humans (active tameness) and reluctance to avoid humans (passive tameness). To understand the behavioral and genetic mechanisms of active tameness in mice, we had previously conducted selective breeding for long durations of contact and heading toward human hands in an active tameness test using a wild-derived heterogeneous stock. Although the study showed a significant increase in contacting and heading with the 12th generation of breeding, the effect on other behavioral indices related to tameness and change of gene expression levels underlying selective breeding was unclear.

Genetic relationships and inbreeding levels among geographically distant populations of Felis catus from Japan and the United States.

Pedigreed cats have traditionally been mated with close relatives, which increases the risks for inbreeding depression and genetic disorders. We evaluated the genome-wide population structure and the degree of inbreeding of 1022 cats, including 13 pedigreed and two random bred populations from Japan and the USA, using single nucleotide polymorphism array-based data. Ancestry structure analysis revealed Japan's American Curl, Norwegian Forest, and Siamese cat populations were genetically distinct from their American counterparts.

Elucidation of Biochemical Pathways Underlying VOCs Production in A549 Cells.

Cellular volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are unique compounds whose metabolic pathways remain enigmatic. To elucidate their metabolism, we investigated the VOCs of lung cancer A549 and 2 non-cancer lung cells (HLB; HBEpC). Neutral sugars and lactate in the medium were measured by colorimetric assay.

Urinary Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Profiles of Fosfomycin against Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing with Canine Ex Vivo Modeling: A Pilot Study.

Fosfomycin is a candidate drug for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria, but its efficacy is yet to be investigated in dogs. This study investigated the urinary pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profile of fosfomycin orally administered at 80 mg/kg to six healthy dogs to assess its efficacy for canine urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by ESBL-producing bacteria. Four strains of ESBL-producing (ESBL-EC) characterized by fosfomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.

Evaluation of introgressive hybridization among Cervidae in Japan's Kinki District via two novel genetic markers developed from public NGS data.

Hybridization and backcrossing of native populations with introduced species can lead to introgression and genetic alteration. In this study, we evaluated introgression in 43 deer from a potential hybrid zone around Okinoshima Island, Kinki District, Japan. This region witnessed the migration of a hybrid population (cross between the Formosan sika deer [] and other deer species) that could potentially breed with the native Japanese sika deer ().