Human Perception of Fear in Dogs Varies According to Experience with Dogs

To investigate the role of experience in humans’ perception of emotion using canine visual signals, we asked adults with various levels of dog experience to interpret the emotions of dogs displayed in videos. The video stimuli had been pre-categorized by an expert panel of dog behavior professionals as showing examples of happy or fearful dog behavior. In a sample of 2,163 participants, the level of dog experience strongly predicted identification of fearful, but not of happy, emotional examples. The probability of selecting the “fearful” category to describe fearful examples increased with experience and ranged from.30 among those who had never lived with a dog to greater than.70 among dog professionals. In contrast, the probability of selecting the “happy” category to describe happy emotional examples varied little by experience, ranging from.90 to.93. In addition, the number of physical features of the dog that participants reported using for emotional interpretations increased with experience, and in particular, more-experienced respondents were more likely to attend to the ears. Lastly, more-experienced respondents provided lower difficulty and higher accuracy self-ratings than less-experienced respondents when interpreting both happy and fearful emotional examples. The human perception of emotion in other humans has previously been shown to be sensitive to individual differences in social experience, and the results of the current study extend the notion of experience-dependent processes from the intraspecific to the interspecific domain.     

Successful Application of Video-Projected Human Images for Signalling to Dogs

Dogs were tested (1) in a two‐way choice experiment, where the experimenter indicated a baited bowl by pointing; and (2) in a task where the owner was asked to command the dog to execute simple obedience tasks. In expt 1 dogs (n = 10) were tested at first in the presence of the experimenter (three dimensional condition, 3D), that was followed by a series of pointing trials when the life‐sized image of the experimenter was projected onto the wall by the means of a video‐projector (two dimensional condition, 2D). Dogs performed correctly more often than expected by chance in both 3D and 2D conditions. In expt 2 the commanding owner was either present in the room (3D), or her/his image was projected on the screen (2D), or only her/his voice was audible for the dog through a speaker (0D). The performance of the dogs (n = 10) decreased to great extent comparing the 3D and 0D condition, as the number of different actions the dogs obeyed was significantly less in the 0D condition. However, there was no difference in the number of different actions obeyed in the 3D and 2D conditions. Our results show that dogs readily obey life‐sized, interactive moving image in various communicative situtations. We suppose that the difference between 2D and 3D conditions can be attributed partially to the lack of some additional communicative signals as sounds (verbal cues) and odours (from the human), and to some changes in the context.     

The Welfare Consequences and Efficacy of Training Pet Dogs with Remote Electronic Training Collars in Comparison to Reward Based Training

This study investigated the welfare consequences of training dogs in the field with manually operated electronic devices (e-collars). Following a preliminary study on 9 dogs, 63 pet dogs referred for recall related problems were assigned to one of three Groups: Treatment Group A were trained by industry approved trainers using e-collars; Control Group B trained by the same trainers but without use of e-collars; and Group C trained by members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, UK again without e-collar stimulation (n = 21 for each Group). Dogs received two 15 minute training sessions per day for 4–5 days. Training sessions were recorded on video for behavioural analysis. Saliva and urine were collected to assay for cortisol over the training period. During preliminary studies there were negative changes in dogs'' behaviour on application of electric stimuli, and elevated cortisol post-stimulation. These dogs had generally experienced high intensity stimuli without pre-warning cues during training. In contrast, in the subsequent larger, controlled study, trainers used lower settings with a pre-warning function and behavioural responses were less marked. Nevertheless, Group A dogs spent significantly more time tense, yawned more often and engaged in less environmental interaction than Group C dogs. There was no difference in urinary corticosteroids between Groups. Salivary cortisol in Group A dogs was not significantly different from that in Group B or Group C, though Group C dogs showed higher measures than Group B throughout sampling. Following training 92% of owners reported improvements in their dog''s referred behaviour, and there was no significant difference in reported efficacy across Groups. Owners of dogs trained using e-collars were less confident of applying the training approach demonstrated. These findings suggest that there is no consistent benefit to be gained from e-collar training but greater welfare concerns compared with positive reward based training.     

Biologic Response to Peripheral and Central Administration of Recombinant Human Leptin in Dogs

LEBEL, CARL, AMY BOURDEAU, DAVID LAU, AND PAMELA HUNT. Biologic response to peripheral and central administration of recombinant human leptin in dogs. Obes Res. Objective: Because leptin is believed to act within the central nervous system, the objective of this study was to test that presumption by comparing the biologic responses to recombinant human leptin (rHuLeptin) when delivered either subcutaneously or intrathecally in a large animal species, the beagle dog. Methods and Procedures: Adult beagle dogs were used for all studies (n = 3 to 14). Treatment with rHuLeptin was either as daily subcutaneous or intermittent intrathecal injections. Results: Subcutaneously administered rHuLeptin was absorbed with peak concentrations appearing at 2 to 4 hours. After intrathecal administration, cerebral spinal fluid concentrations declined in a bi-phasic manner with a terminal half-life of ?6 to 8 hours. When lean beagles were given leptin subcutaneously, at 0. 05 to 5 gkglday for up to 6 months, reductions in body weight (up to 30%) and food intake (up to 75%) were observed. Body fat loss was observed in both lean and obese dogs, and confirmed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and histology of adipose tissue. When rHuleptin was delivered intrathecally at 4 to 1000 μg/dose for up to 3 months, the primary effects observed were reductions in body weight and food intake. In general all findings reported in the intrathecal studies were consistent with those noted in the subcutaneous studies; however, the required intrathecal dose was substantially lower than that for subcutaneous delivery. Discussion: These studies demonstrate that both subcutaneous and intrathecal treatment of rHuLeptin was associated with effects on body weight, food intake, and body fat in dogs. These results support the concept that the central nervous system is the probable primary site of action for leptin and suggest that rHuLeptin has similar physiologic activities that influence body weight, body fat, and metabolism in large animals to those reported previously in rodents.     

High Humidity Leads to Loss of Infectious Influenza Virus from Simulated Coughs

Background

The role of relative humidity in the aerosol transmission of influenza was examined in a simulated examination room containing coughing and breathing manikins.

Methods

Nebulized influenza was coughed into the examination room and Bioaerosol samplers collected size-fractionated aerosols (<1 µM, 1–4 µM, and >4 µM aerodynamic diameters) adjacent to the breathing manikin’s mouth and also at other locations within the room. At constant temperature, the RH was varied from 7–73% and infectivity was assessed by the viral plaque assay.

Results

Total virus collected for 60 minutes retained 70.6–77.3% infectivity at relative humidity ≤23% but only 14.6–22.2% at relative humidity ≥43%. Analysis of the individual aerosol fractions showed a similar loss in infectivity among the fractions. Time interval analysis showed that most of the loss in infectivity within each aerosol fraction occurred 0–15 minutes after coughing. Thereafter, losses in infectivity continued up to 5 hours after coughing, however, the rate of decline at 45% relative humidity was not statistically different than that at 20% regardless of the aerosol fraction analyzed.

Conclusion

At low relative humidity, influenza retains maximal infectivity and inactivation of the virus at higher relative humidity occurs rapidly after coughing. Although virus carried on aerosol particles <4 µM have the potential for remaining suspended in air currents longer and traveling further distances than those on larger particles, their rapid inactivation at high humidity tempers this concern. Maintaining indoor relative humidity >40% will significantly reduce the infectivity of aerosolized virus.     

重组人血管内皮抑素在Beagle犬体内的药代动力学研究

研究重组人血管内皮抑素(rhEndostatin)静脉注射后在Beagle犬体内的药代动力学过程,为临床应用提供药代动力学数据。用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)竞争法检测Beagle犬静脉注射rhEndostatin后不同时间的血药浓度,并将血药浓度-时间数据经计算机拟合,计算出相应参数。rhEndostatin静脉注射Beagle犬后,药物的分布半衰期平均为(0.34±0.04)h,消除半衰期为(16.5±1.6)h。血药浓度-时间曲线下面积(AUC)与剂量呈正相关,相关系数为0.999 9。血浆清除率(CLs)均值为(0.123±0.006)l/h,高、中、低剂量CLs基本相同。rhEndostatin在Beagle犬体内的药代动学过程基本符合线性药动学特征,血药浓度-时间曲线符合二房室模型。rhEndostatin在Beagle犬体内药代动力学过程的研究对其进一步开发具有指导价值。     

Antisense Inhibition of Threonine Synthase Leads to High Methionine Content in Transgenic Potato Plants

Methionine (Met) and threonine (Thr) are members of the aspartate family of amino acids. In plants, their biosynthetic pathways diverge at the level of O-phosphohomo-serine (Ser). The enzymes cystathionine gamma-synthase and Thr synthase (TS) compete for the common substrate O-phosphohomo-Ser with the notable feature that plant TS is activated through S-adenosyl-Met, a metabolite derived from Met. To investigate the regulation of this branch point, we engineered TS antisense potato (Solanum tuberosum cv Désirée) plants using the constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. In leaf tissues, these transgenics exhibit a reduction of TS activity down to 6% of wild-type levels. Thr levels are reduced to 45% wild-type controls, whereas Met levels increase up to 239-fold depending on the transgenic line and environmental conditions. Increased levels of homo-Ser and homo-cysteine indicate increased carbon allocation into the aspartate pathway. In contrast to findings in Arabidopsis, increased Met content has no detectable effect on mRNA or protein levels or on the enzymatic activity of cystathionine gamma-synthase in potato. Tubers of TS antisense potato plants contain a Met level increased by a factor of 30 and no reduction in Thr. These plants offer a major biotechnological advance toward the development of crop plants with improved nutritional quality.     

Owner Attachment and Problem Behaviors Related to Relinquishment and Training Techniques of Dogs

Problematic behaviors are a significant reason for relinquishment, and relinquished dogs are more likely to have problem behaviors. This study utilized standardized surveys of owners (companion animal guardians) relinquishing their dogs to shelters and dog owners visiting vaccination clinics. “Relinquishing” and “continuing” owners were asked questions in the following categories: demographic information, training methods and tools, frequencies in which their dogs engaged in problematic behaviors, and attachment to their dogs. “Relinquishers” were also asked to provide their reasons for relinquishment. The results of 129 surveys (80 relinquishing and 49 continuing) showed that relinquishers scored lower on companion animal attachment than continuing owners. Pit bull-type dogs were represented more in the relinquishing group. Relinquished dogs were no less likely to have attended training classes than continuing dogs. In both groups, owners who used punishment-based collars reported less satisfaction with their dogs' overall and leash-walking behaviors. Pit bull-type dogs were reported to be no less well behaved compared with all other breeds combined. Sixty-five percent of relinquishers reported some behavioral reason for relinquishment. Forty-eight percent of relinquishers indicated that at least 1 problem behavior was a strong influence on their decision to relinquish.     

The Role of Therapy Dogs in Speed and Accuracy to Complete Motor Skills Tasks for Preschool Children

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the presence of a therapy dog would affect the performance of a set of gross motor skills tasks for a mixed group of language-impaired and typical preschool children. The 14 children in the group were between four and six years old (four female and ten male); the two dogs were Miniature Poodles. The design was a two-way mixed model factorial, where a series of 10 gross motor skills tasks (e.g., long jump, high jump—labeled Type of Task) performed by the children served as one variable, and the presence or absence of the therapy dog (labeled Dog Presence) served as the other variable. In the dog-present conditions, the dog either performed the task immediately prior to, or at the same time as, the child. Time to complete each task and the accuracy of task performance as determined by a rating scale were determined from a review of experiment videotapes. The main effect of Dog Presence was significant (F_(1,36) = 7.471, p < 0.05, R² = 0.17). As predicted, the children completed the tasks faster when the dog was present (M = 10.88 s,SD = 9.84) than when the dog was absent (M = 13.86 s,SD = 12.64), but this effect was not present in the ratings data. This indicates that the presence of a therapy dog served as an effective motivator for the children, who performed faster, but without compromising accuracy, in all tasks but one. The interaction between dog presence and type of task was also significant (F_(9,71) = 3.67, p < 0.05, R² = 0.32) in the ratings data, indicating that the presence of the dog increased performance accuracy in some types of tasks, while decreasing it in others. Based on these results and the strong connection between motor skills and language development, the authors recommend a role for therapy dogs in speech and language development programs for preschool children.     

A Novel Approach to High Accuracy of Video-Based Microrheology

Video-based particle tracking monitors the microscopic movement of labeled biomolecules and fluorescent probes within a complex cellular environment. Information gained from this technique enables us to extract the dynamic behavior of biomolecules and the local mechanical properties inside the cell from a tracked particle's mean-square displacement (MSD). However, MSD measurements are highly susceptible to static error introduced by noise in the image acquisition process that leads to an incorrect positioning of the particle. Static error can mask the subtle effects from the local microenvironment on the MSD and potentially generate misleading conclusions about the biophysical properties of cells. An approach that greatly increases the accuracy of MSD measurements is presented herein by combining experimental data with Monte Carlo simulations to eliminate the inherent static error. This practical method of static error correction greatly advances particle-tracking techniques.     

Long-Term Performance of Modern Coronary Sinus Leads in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has become an important pillar of contemporary heart failure therapy. The efficacy of CRT, however, critically relies on proper LV lead placement and performance, which is why data regarding the long-term performance of CS leads are of considerable interest. Available studies are limited by a restricted variety of lead vendors, earlier lead models and / or very short follow-up periods. In the current study, we therefore investigated the long-term performance of modern LV leads in a large "real world" cohort of patients undergoing CRT implantation.

Methods and Results

All 193 patients who had successfullyundergone CRT implantation at the University Hospital Zurich between September 2003 and January 2010 were included in the study. An overall stable course of stimulation energy was observed over time; neither ischemic etiology, lead configuration, or severely reduced EF had an influence on the evolution of energy thresholds over time. Interestingly, patients with a high energy threshold at baseline experienced a significant reduction during follow-up. In contrast, a significant drop in impedance was seen following implantation, followed by a steady course for the rest of the observation period. Only 15 patients (9.7%) showed an impedance > 1000 Ohm at any time during their follow-up. Seven lead dislocations were observed during follow up.

Conclusion

The current comprehensive analysis of long-term performance of modern coronary sinus leads demonstrates excellent stability, performance and safety. These data may have important implications for physicians involved in biventricular pacemaker implantations and in the follow-up care of these patients.     

Purification of Transthyretin by High Performance Affinity Chromatography from Human Plasma

Abstract

The partial purification of human transthyretin (TTR) by high performance affinity chromatography with the help of other separation techniques is described in the present paper. A new affinity medium was prepared with a monosized (ca. 10μM particle size) macroporous resin as the support and thyroxine (T₄) as the ligand. The purification of TTR was carried out in a few simple steps involving serum precipitation, anion exchange, Thyroxine affinity chromatography and gel filtration. The overall yield was 29% and the refined TTR contained less than 2% impurities as analyzed by RP-HPLC. When TTR was administrated to the culture medium DMEM of liver tumor strain SMMC-7721, a true inhibition of cell growth (ca. 50%) was observed as an actual decrease in cell number over time.     

Building a Beetle: How Larval Environment Leads to Adult Performance in a Horned Beetle

The link between the expression of the signals used by male animals in contests with the traits which determine success in those contests is poorly understood. This is particularly true in holometabolous insects such as horned beetles where signal expression is determined during metamorphosis and is fixed during adulthood, whereas performance is influenced by post-eclosion feeding. We used path analysis to investigate the relationships between larval and adult nutrition, horn and body size and fitness-related traits such as strength and testes mass in the horned beetle Euoniticellus intermedius. In males weight gain post-eclosion had a central role in determining both testes mass and strength. Weight gain was unaffected by adult nutrition but was strongly correlated with by horn length, itself determined by larval resource availability, indicating strong indirect effects of larval nutrition on the adult beetle’s ability to assimilate food and grow tissues. Female strength was predicted by a simple path diagram where strength was determined by eclosion weight, itself determined by larval nutrition: weight gain post-eclosion was not a predictor of strength in this sex. Based on earlier findings we discuss the insulin-like signalling pathway as a possible mechanism by which larval nutrition could affect adult weight gain and thence traits such as strength.     

Micropurification of Two Human Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins by High Performance Electrophoresis Chromatography

Abstract: Using C8 reversed-phase HPLC in conjunction with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we have fractionated proteins contained in human CSFs obtained from patients with schizophrenic disorders. When these proteins were electrophoretically blotted onto polyvinylidene difluoride membrane for direct N-terminal amino acid sequencing, several CSF proteins were identified; these included albumin, transferrin, apolipoprotein A-l, β₂-microglobulin, and prealbumin. We have also identified two structurally related human CSF proteins designated cerebrin 28 (M_r 28,000) and cerebrin 30 (M_r 30,000) that have an N-terminal amino acid sequence of NH₂-APPAQVSVQPNF and NH₂-APEAQVSVQPLFXQ, respectively. Comparison of these sequences with existing database at Protein Identification Resource (R 32.0), GenBank (R 72.0), SWISS-PROT (R 22.0), and EMBL (R 31.0) indicated that they are unique proteins. These proteins were subsequently purified by high performance electrophoresis Chromatography (HPEC) using an Applied Biosystems 230A HPEC system. A specific polyclonal antibody was prepared and an ELISA was established for cerebrin 30. It was noted that HPEC is a powerful tool to purify microgram quantities of proteins from human, rabbit, and rat CSFs. Using such a system, we have been able to micropurify as many as 10 proteins simultaneously in a single experiment because the elution of proteins occurred strictly according to their molecular weights. More importantly, we routinely obtained a recovery of >90%. The potential use of this technology for micropurification of proteins was discussed.