The effect of insulin on equine lamellar basal epithelial cells mediated by the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor.

Background: In horses and ponies, insulin dysregulation leading to hyperinsulinemia may be associated with increased risk of laminitis, and prolonged infusion of insulin can induce the condition. It is unclear whether insulin may have a direct or indirect effect on the lamellar tissues. Insulin is structurally related to insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and can bind the IGF-1 receptor, albeit at a lower affinity than IGF-1.

Cytokine and Chemokine Concentrations as Biomarkers of Feline Mycobacteriosis.

Mycobacteriosis is an emerging zoonotic disease of domestic cats and timely, accurate diagnosis is currently challenging. To identify differential cytokine/chemokine concentrations in serum/plasma of cats, which could be diagnostic biomarkers of infection we analysed plasma/serum from 116 mycobacteria-infected cats, 16 healthy controls and six cats hospitalised for unrelated reasons was analysed using the Milliplex MAP Feline Cytokine Magnetic Bead multiplex assay. Three cytokines; sFAS, IL-13 and IL-4 were reduced while seven; GM-CSF, IL-2, PDGF-BB, IL-8, KC, RANTES and TNF-α were elevated in mycobacteria-infected cats compared to healthy controls.

Insights into the Chemistry of Non-Enzymatic Browning Reactions in Different Ribose-Amino Acid Model Systems.

Reactions between sugars and amino acids in the Maillard reaction produce a multitude of compounds through interconnected chemical pathways. The course of the pathways changes depending on the nature of the amino acids and sugars as well as the processing conditions (e.g.

Not all forms of dietary phosphorus are equal: an evaluation of postprandial phosphorus concentrations in the plasma of the cat.

Phosphorus is present in diets as naturally occurring P from raw materials or added as an inorganic salt. However, little is known about postprandial kinetics of P absorption in cats. Here, we describe several studies quantifying postprandial kinetics following the ingestion of diets of varying composition.

Typologies of older adult companion animal owners and non-owners: moving beyond the dichotomy.

Research on the influence of companion animals (CA) on the health of older adults has yielded contradictory results. Selection factors, leading to heterogeneity both between and within groups of CA owners and non-owners, likely bias results. We conduct analyses to identify typologies of owners and non-owners.

Impact of dietary macronutrient profile on feline body weight is not consistent with the protein leverage hypothesis.

The protein leverage hypothesis proposes that the need to prioritise protein intake drives excess energy intake (EI) when the dietary ratio of protein to fat and carbohydrate is reduced. We hypothesised that cats may become prone to overconsuming energy content when moderate protein diets were offered, and considered the potential influence of fat and carbohydrate on intake. To determine the effect of dietary protein and macronutrient profile (MNP) on EI, weight and body composition, cats (1-4 years) were offered food in excess of energy requirements (ER).

Attachment security in companion dogs: adaptation of Ainsworth's strange situation and classification procedures to dogs and their human caregivers.

This exploratory study describes the development of a classification system for dogs' attachment security to caregivers that adheres closely to Ainsworth's seminal methodology. Fifty-nine adult dogs and caregivers participated in a mildly threatening laboratory encounter with a stranger (TS) and the Strange Situation (SSP). Dog and attachment experts adapted Ainsworth's classification system  for the behavioral repertoire of the dog.

Characterization of insulin and IGF-1 receptor binding in equine liver and lamellar tissue: implications for endocrinopathic laminitis.

Although it is well established that equine laminitis can be triggered by extreme hyperinsulinemia, the mechanism of insulin action is not known. High concentrations of insulin lead to separation of the weight-bearing apparatus from the hoof wall and are associated with an increased cycle of cell death and proliferation in the lamellae. Gene expression and immunohistochemistry studies have indicated that the lamellae are sparsely populated with insulin receptors, whereas IGF-1 receptors (IGF-1R) are abundant, suggesting that the action of insulin may be mediated by insulin binding to the IGF-1R.

Cell specific microvesicles vary with season and disease predisposition in healthy and previously laminitic ponies.

Microvesicles are small (up to 1 μm) vesicles found in plasma and other bodily fluids. They are recognised as part of the normal system of inter-cellular communication but altered numbers are also used as biomarkers of disease. Microvesicles have not been studied in detail in the horse but may be relevant to diseases such as laminitis.

Three Dimensional Osteometric Analysis of Mandibular Symmetry and Morphological Consistency in Cats.

The aim of this study was to describe a number of anatomical reference points which can be used to measure mandibular morphology and assess the degree of mandibular symmetry in a group of normal cats. Comparisons were then made between cats to evaluate correlations between morphological measurements and degree of inter-cat variation. This will provide data valuable evaluating and developing techniques for caudal mandibular fracture repair.

Characterisation of a canine epithelial cell line for modelling the intestinal barrier.

Little is known about how food interacts with the intestinal epithelium during the digestion process. However, it is known that ingredients in food can modulate the intestinal barrier, and have the potential to disrupt homeostasis of the gut. Here, we characterise a conditionally immortalised canine intestinal epithelial cell (cIEC) line for use in in vitro assays, to assess the effect of food ingredients on intestinal barrier function, permeability, cell health, and inflammation.

Validation of Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence for Quantifying Calculus on Dogs' Teeth.

Periodontal disease is a common disease of dogs and is initiated by the buildup of plaque on the tooth surface. As plaque matures, it becomes mineralized to form calculus, which although not directly involved in the etiology of periodontal disease, provides an irregular surface to which plaque can adhere. Evaluation of the quantity of plaque and calculus on dogs' teeth is therefore essential to enable the efficacy of products, designed to prevent or retard plaque and calculus accumulation, to be evaluated.

A longitudinal assessment of periodontal health status in 53 Labrador retrievers.

Objectives: To determine the incidence and rates of progression of gingivitis and periodontitis in Labrador retrievers.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-three dogs, aged 1·1 to 5·9 years, had their periodontal health assessed every 6 months for up to 2 years. The extent of gingivitis and periodontitis was measured around the whole gingival margin of every tooth under general anaesthesia.

Linoleate-enriched diet increases both linoleic acid esterified to omega hydroxy very long chain fatty acids and free ceramides of canine stratum corneum without effect on protein-bound ceramides and skin barrier function.

Few studies have investigated the influence of increased amounts of dietary linoleic acid on the epidermal lipid biochemistry and TEWL in healthy subject. The influence of dietary linoleic acid on canine stratum corneum (SC) lipids was studied by feeding two groups of five dogs differential amounts of linoleic acid (LA) for three months. SC was harvested by tape stripping and lipids were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Social learning from conspecifics and humans in dog puppies.

Social learning is especially advantageous for young individuals because it reduces the risks of trial-and-error learning, while providing an efficient way of acquiring information. Whereas adult dogs are known to excel in social learning skills, the ontogeny of this process has been mainly overlooked. The focus of our study was to investigate whether the capacity of social learning is already developed in dogs at an early age.

Location and distribution of craniomaxillofacial fractures in 45 cats presented for the treatment of head trauma.

Objectives: The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the location and distribution of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) fractures in 45 cats presented to a veterinary referral centre between 2012 and 2017.

Methods: Cats with a history of head trauma, one or more CMF fractures and a pretreatment CT scan of the CMF region were included in this study. For the purpose of the study, the CMF skeleton was divided into 15 functional anatomical regions and the fracture sites were allocated to one of these functional regions.

Measuring Cortisol in the Classroom with School-Aged Children-A Systematic Review and Recommendations.

The collection of salivary cortisol has been chosen as one of the least intrusive, easiest to collect, analyze, and store methods of obtaining information on physiological changes. It is, however, not clear what the best practice is when collecting salivary cortisol from children within the school setting. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the feasibility of cortisol collection in schools for future research and to make recommendations for best practice.

Critical Review of Research Methods Used to Consider the Impact of Human-Animal Interaction on Older Adults' Health.

Background And Objectives: Most research on human-animal interaction (HAI) and human health focuses on one of three perspectives: (a) health effects of pet ownership; (b) health effects of contact with a companion animal; or (c) health effects of animal-assisted interventions including animal-assisted therapies, and animal-assisted activities.

Methods: We reviewed research methods used to address each perspective, within the context of human aging, and identified challenges associated with these methods.

Results: The complex challenges involved in designing studies to address all three perspectives and examples of research design elements that can be used to alleviate issues raised in each type of study are provided.

Development and validation of the Canine Reward Responsiveness Scale -Examining individual differences in reward responsiveness of the domestic dog.

Although there is ample data indicating that reward processing plays an important role in human psychopathologies and pharmaco- and psychotherapy treatment response, the corresponding animal-model research needs to be extended to models whose motivational and social dispositions are better generalizable than those of the traditional models. Accordingly, our aim was to develop and assess the reliability and validity of an owner-report rating scale of reward responsiveness in domestic dogs (N = 2149) and then to examine individual differences in reward responsiveness. Responsiveness was categorisable by reward type (ball/toy and food) and exhibited individual variability manifesting in age- and breed-related differences.

Human-animal interaction as a social determinant of health: descriptive findings from the health and retirement study.

Background: We focused on human-animal interaction (HAI) as an important aspect of social functioning at the individual level, framing this emerging field from a public health perspective.

Methods: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2012 HAI module, we describe the characteristics of pet ownership in a population of older adults, and examine the relation between pet ownership and multiple mental and physical health indicators such as health status, depression, and physical activity.

Results: Of the 1657 participants in our subsample, approximately half (51.

Effect of varying the dose of corn syrup on the insulin and glucose response to the oral sugar test.

Background: The oral sugar test (OST) is used to identify equine insulin dysregulation (ID); however only a dose of 0.15 mL/kg bwt corn syrup has been evaluated.

Objectives: To determine the effect of varying the dose of corn syrup on insulin and glucose response to the OST and the test's ability to distinguish between ponies with a history of laminitis (PL) and without laminitis (NL).

Distinct fermentation and antibiotic sensitivity profiles exist in salmonellae of canine and human origin.

Background: Salmonella enterica is a recognised cause of diarrhoea in dogs and humans, yet the potential for transfer of salmonellosis between dogs and their owners is unclear, with reported evidence both for and against Salmonella as a zoonotic pathogen. A collection of 174 S. enterica isolates from clinical infections in humans and dogs were analysed for serotype distribution, carbon source utilisation, chemical and antimicrobial sensitivity profiles.

Effects of age and diet on glucose and insulin dynamics in the horse.

Background: Age and diet may affect insulin sensitivity (SI) but these factors have received limited investigation in horses.

Objectives: To measure minimal model parameters during an insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT) after adaptation to a forage only diet (HAY) or forage supplemented with either starch/sugar-rich (SS) or oil/fibre-rich (FF) concentrate feeds; and to assess glucose and insulin responses to a standardised meal challenge (SMC, 4 g/kg BW of SS) after diet adaptation in adult and aged mares.

Study Design: Latin square design with eight adult (5-12 years) and nine aged (>19 years) healthy mares.

Social capital and pet ownership - A tale of four cities.

•Pet ownership is significantly associated with higher levels of social capital.•Social capital was associated with pet ownership in the U.S.

The Saliva Proteome of Dogs: Variations Within and Between Breeds and Between Species.

Saliva is a complex multifunctional fluid that bathes the oral cavity to assist in soft and hard tissue maintenance, lubrication, buffering, defense against microbes, and initiating digestion of foods. It has been extensively characterized in humans but its protein composition in dogs remains poorly characterized, yet saliva composition could explain (patho) physiological differences between individuals, breeds and with humans. This pilot discovery study aimed to characterize canine saliva from two breeds, Labrador retrievers and Beagles, and to compare this with human saliva using quantitative mass spectrometry.