Effectiveness of Ozone Treatment and Packaging Techniques in Preserving Taiwanese Domestic Beef During Refrigerated Storage.

This study investigates the efficacy of ozone treatment combined with different packaging methods on the preservation of Taiwanese domestically produced beef during refrigerated storage. The preservation of fresh beef is crucial for ensuring food safety and quality; we do not know whether changing the packaging method can mitigate the negative effects of ozone on meat and even enhance its positive impact. Beef samples were treated with ozone and packaged using the vacuum or PVDC-tray methods, then stored at 4 °C for 7 days.

A cadaveric study of wrist-joint moments in chimpanzees and orangutans with implications for the evolution of knuckle-walking.

Understanding the mechanism underlying the evolution of knuckle-walking in African great apes but not in humans may provide important implications about the origin and evolution of human bipedal locomotion. In this study, aiming to reveal possible structural adaptations of the chimpanzee's forearm and hand musculature related to knuckle-walking, we measure the passive elastic moment of the chimpanzee's and orangutan's wrist as it was rotated into extension, immobilizing the metacarpophalangeal joint at three different positions: extended (as in knuckle-walking), flexed (as in fist-walking), and an intermediate position. Our findings demonstrate that when the metacarpophalangeal joints are extended, the rigidity of the wrist joint in the extended direction increases.

A Head-to-Head Comparative Study of the Replication-Competent Vaccinia Virus and AAV1-Based Malaria Vaccine versus RTS,S/AS01 in Murine Models.

: We developed a multistage vaccine using a heterologous prime-boost immunization strategy. This involved priming with a highly attenuated, replication-competent vaccinia virus strain LC16m8Δ (m8Δ) and boosting with adeno-associated virus type 1 (AAV1). This approach demonstrated 100% efficacy in both protection and transmission-blocking in a murine model.

Behavioral and emotional co-modulation during dog-owner interaction measured by heart rate variability and activity.

Behavioral and physiological synchrony facilitate emotional closeness in attachment relationships. The aim of this pseudorandomized cross-over study was to investigate the emotional and physiological link, designated as co-modulation, between dogs and their owners. We measured the heart rate variability (HRV) and physical activity of dogs belonging to co-operative breeds (n = 29) and their owners during resting baselines and positive interaction tasks (Stroking, Training, Sniffing, Playing) and collected survey data on owner temperament and dog-owner relationship.

Loss of a single Zn finger, but not that of two Zn fingers, of GATA3 drives skin inflammation.

Transcription factor GATA3 is essential for the developmental processes of T cells. Recently, the silencer of a cytokine IFNγ gene was identified, the inhibitory activity of which requires GATA3. GATA3 has 2 Zn fingers and the commonly used GATA3 deficient mice lack both fingers (D2).

Comparative analysis based on shared amplicon sequence variants reveals that cohabitation influences gut microbiota sharing between humans and dogs.

Introduction: The One Health concept is a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between humans, animals, and the environment. The cohabitation of humans and pets positively affects their physical, mental, and social well-being. It is recognized as an essential factor from the One Health perspective.

Rapid formation of picture-word association in cats.

It is well known that dogs are capable of following human verbal instructions. However, very little is known about the equivalent ability in cats. In this study, we used a switched stimuli task to examine whether cats rapidly form picture-word association, which is a fundamental ability for word learning.

Distribution of lesions in psittacine birds naturally infected with parrot bornavirus in Japan.

Mononuclear cell infiltration of the central nervous system and ganglioneuritis are characteristic histopathological findings of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) caused by parrot bornavirus (PaBV) infection. The purpose of this study was to clarify the link between the degree of inflammatory lesions and the distribution of the virus antigen in naturally PaBV-infected parrots. Pathological examination was performed on 18 PaBV-infected birds identified by reverse transcriptase-PCR.

A case of hydronephrosis due to intrarenal ureteral obstruction in a Japanese Black calf.

A 23-day-old Japanese Black female calf presented with distension of the lower abdomen. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a cystic structure with fluid accumulation and moderate echoluminance in the right abdominal cavity. Ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed congenital hydronephrosis due to narrowing of the intrarenal ureter, and right kidney resection was performed.

Magnetic resonance imaging signal changes at the intramuscular injection site in dogs: Comparison of medetomidine and saline.

Intramuscular administration is a commonly used method for delivering sedatives and anesthetics in veterinary medicine. Previous studies have reported inflammation at the intramuscular injection site in laboratory animals and observed signal changes on MRI following intramuscular injections in humans. We hypothesized that following intramuscular injection, the site would exhibit T2 hyperintensity and contrast enhancement on MRI.

Tissue-specific functions of MSCs are linked to homeostatic muscle maintenance and alter with aging.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), also known as fibro-adipogenic progenitors, play a critical role in muscle maintenance and sarcopenia development. Although analogous MSCs are present in various tissues, recent single-cell RNA-seq studies have revealed the inter-tissue heterogeneity of MSCs. However, the functional significance of MSC heterogeneity and its role in aging remain unclear.

Validation of a PD-1/CD28 chimeric switch receptor to augment CAR-T function in dogs with spontaneous B cell lymphoma.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved unprecedented clinical outcomes in patients with relapsed/refractory B cell leukemias; however, response rates in patients with large B cell lymphoma (LBCL) are less impressive. Expression of PD-1 on activated T cells and PD-L1 on malignant, stromal, and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to CAR-T exhaustion, hypofunction, and treatment failures. Here, a comparative approach is taken to develop a chimeric switch receptor (CSR) with potential to augment CAR-T persistence, function, and clinical efficacy in immune competent, pet dogs with spontaneous B cell lymphoma (BCL).

Omega-3 fatty acids mitigate skin damage caused by ultraviolet-B radiation.

Mice fed a diet containing an adequate amount of ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3 Adq) or a deficient diet (ω-3 Def) were irradiated with ultraviolet-B (UV-B) and were measured daily changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL). TEWL was significantly increased in ω-3 Def mice with repeated UV-B irradiation, but this increase was significantly reduced in ω-3 Adq mice. The epidermal layers revealed thickening of the spinous and basal layers induced by UV-B irradiation in both groups.

Isolation and genetic characterization of novel bovine parechoviruses from Japanese black cattle.

Novel bovine parechoviruses (Bo ParVs) were isolated from the feces of Japanese black cattle. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the novel Bo ParVs formed an independent cluster, exhibiting 72.2-75.

Improvement of nonsurgical artificial insemination with cryopreserved spermatozoa in Alexandromys montebelli, Japanese grass vole.

Microtus genus is the herbivorous animal with multiple stomachs, and some of them possess a mating system similar to human and thereby has been expected as a model animal for the large herbivory and human mating system model, respectively. Thus, it is significant to maintain Microtus as an animal genetic resource. We have studied the establishment of assisted reproductive technologies in Alexandromys.

Changes in skin temperature and behaviors of preweaning Holstein calves in a hot environment monitored by a multimodal tail-attached device.

This study aimed to determine the applicability of a tail-attached device in monitoring animal-based indicators (ABI) associated with changes in environmental conditions in calves through investigating the relationship between sensor-derived ABI and the temperature-humidity index (THI). Furthermore, to identify effective ABI indicative of heat stress status, sensor-derived ABI of calves under differing heat stress levels based on rectal temperature (RT) were compared. The tail-attached device, which is capable of measuring skin temperature (ST), activity intensity, and roll angle along the longitudinal axis of the tail at 3-min intervals, was attached to 99 preweaning female Holstein calves for an average of 4 wk (26.

Contraceptive effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine on captive male brown bears (Ursus arctos).

Fertility control has traditionally been applied in zoos to control captive populations, and reversible contraception is important. However, contraceptive methods for male bears have not been reported. We aimed to establish a reversible contraceptive for male brown bears by investigating the effects of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine (Improvac®) that was developed for the immune castration of pigs.

The Phytochemical, Quercetin, Attenuates Nociceptive and Pathological Pain: Neurophysiological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential.

Although phytochemicals are plant-derived toxins that are primarily produced as a form of defense against insects or microbes, several lines of study have demonstrated that the phytochemical, quercetin, has several beneficial biological actions for human health, including antioxidant and inflammatory effects without side effects. Quercetin is a flavonoid that is widely found in fruits and vegetables. Since recent studies have demonstrated that quercetin can modulate neuronal excitability in the nervous system, including nociceptive sensory transmission via mechanoreceptors and voltage-gated ion channels, and inhibit the cyclooxygenase-2-cascade, it is possible that quercetin could be a complementary alternative medicine candidate; specifically, a therapeutic agent against nociceptive and pathological pain.