Search Results (469)

Research suggests that older adults might obtain health benefits from pet ownership; however, results are mixed. Pet attachment is suggested as both a mechanism for the relationship and a reason for differences in the association of pet ownership with health outcomes. This systematic review examines evidence for the relationship between pet attachment and health outcomes among older adults. The Open Science Foundation-registered review began with 20,795 candidate articles. We limited our review to the 58 articles that consisted of original research, published in peer-reviewed journals between 1965 and June 2025, written in English, included older adults (age ≥ 50 years) or were limited to only older adults, and examined the relationship between pet attachment and health outcomes. The articles included analyses of psychological (n = 53), social (n = 27), or physical (n = 2) health outcomes. Pet attachment was assessed with 19 tools; most frequently the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (n = 21) and the Pet Attachment Questionnaire (n = 8). The studies were not consistently of high quality according to OCEBM criteria. Except for grief, which was consistently related to pet attachment, the findings do not support a clear relationship between pet attachment and health outcomes in older adults. Findings suggest that the relationship between pet attachment and health outcomes may be more pronounced in younger than in older adults. Full article

Ammonia (NH₃) recovery from animal manure offers both environmental and economic benefits by reducing nitrogen emissions and producing valuable fertilisers. Hollow fibre membrane contactors (HFMCs) are a promising technology for this purpose, yet their performance is strongly influenced by the complex composition of manure. In this study, the effects of solids concentration and organic foulants concentration on the mass transfer coefficients governing NH₃ recovery were systematically investigated. Total suspended solids (TSS) were reduced through graded filtration, and protein concentrations in the ammonium solutions were quantified to assess their role in limiting mass transfer. Results showed that TSS concentration primarily affected the shell-side film resistance. After extensive filtration, residual proteins attached to the membrane surface induced partial wetting, thereby reducing the effective membrane mass transfer coefficient. Using a penalty function approach, it was possible to separately describe TSS- and protein-related resistances, enabling improved prediction of effective model coefficients under real world conditions. These findings highlight the dual importance of solid–liquid separation and protein management in optimising HFMC operation for NH₃ recovery and provide a framework for up-scaling the technology in agricultural nutrient management systems. Full article

Increasing consumption of plant-based alternatives is promoted to reduce the environmental impact of food systems, yet adoption remains limited. The aim of this study was to identify distinct consumer segments and examine differences in their perceptions, consumption habits, and trial intentions concerning plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs). Conceptually, it advances PBDAs segmentation by jointly incorporating pro-dairy justifications, avoidance of animal-origin considerations, and self-reported PBDAs familiarity, capturing psychological defence mechanisms alongside knowledge-related influences on adoption. Data were collected in a nationwide cross-sectional CAWI survey of 1220 Polish adults responsible for household food purchasing, stratified and quota-matched by gender, age, region, and settlement size. Factor analysis of the segmenting variables was conducted using principal component analysis with varimax rotation, followed by two-step cluster analysis. Alternative cluster solutions were compared using the Bayesian Information Criterion based on the log-likelihood (BIC-LL). The selected five-cluster solution showed acceptable to good clustering quality, as indicated by silhouette-based measures of cohesion and separation. Given the cross-sectional CAWI design and reliance on self-reported measures, the findings do not allow causal inference and should be interpreted as context-specific to the Polish, dairy-centric food culture. Cluster analysis identified five segments that differed in PBDA-related beliefs, product image evaluations, consumption patterns, and trial intentions. PBDA-oriented segments, comprising a dairy-critical segment and a dual-consumption segment, exhibited higher perceived familiarity and stronger ethical and environmental concerns and showed greater PBDA use and willingness to try new products. The dual-consumption segment reported the highest use and trial readiness. In contrast, resistant segments showed stronger dairy attachment, lower perceived familiarity, and more sceptical evaluations of PBDAs’ healthfulness, naturalness, and sensory appeal, and rarely consumed plant-based alternatives. The findings highlight substantial heterogeneity in how Polish dairy consumers perceive PBDAs, emphasising the importance of segment-specific approaches for communication and product development. Tailored strategies can help address the diverse motivations and barriers of consumers, supporting a dietary shift toward more plant-based options. Full article

Background and Objectives: Periodontitis leads to progressive destruction of periodontal tissues and, despite advances in regenerative approaches, clinical outcomes remain inconsistent. Lasers have been proposed as adjuncts in regenerative periodontology because of their antimicrobial, hemostatic, and photobiomodulatory properties. However, available evidence remains heterogeneous. This scoping review aims to systematically map clinical and experimental evidence on the role of lasers in periodontal tissue regeneration. Materials and Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched up to September 2025 without time restrictions. Eligible studies included in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo and clinical research assessing the application of lasers for periodontal healing. Reviews, conference abstracts and studies unrelated to regeneration were excluded. Results: The electronic search retrieved 314 records, of which 193 unique articles were screened after duplicates removal and 17 full texts were assessed. A total of 15 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Included studies comprised 5 in vitro investigations, 2 ex vivo studies, 1 in vivo animal study, 4 case reports and 3 RCTs, published between 2015 and 2025. In vitro and ex vivo evidence demonstrated that laser irradiation enhanced cell proliferation, differentiation, growth factor release, and root surface conditioning. The in vivo study confirmed increased angiogenesis and bone formation after Er:YAG PBM. Clinical studies, including RCTs and case reports, reported improvements in PD reduction, clinical attachment gain, and radiographic bone fill, particularly when lasers were applied as adjuncts to regenerative techniques or biomaterials. Conclusions: Available evidence suggests that lasers can positively modulate biological processes and enhance the outcomes of regenerative periodontal procedures. However, the limited number of high-quality clinical trials, variability in laser types and parameters, and heterogeneity in protocols limit the strength of current conclusions. Further standardized RCTs with long-term follow-up are needed to clarify the clinical relevance of lasers in periodontal regenerative outcomes. Full article

Since cats often struggle to acclimate to laboratory settings, a key requirement for effective testing, we adapted Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Test (SST) for use in environments familiar to the cats. We examined 82 cat–caregiver dyads from private households and animal shelters using a standardised five-phase video procedure comprising distinct phases of presence, separation, and reunion between the cats and their human caregivers. Seven attachment-related behaviours were recorded via focal animal sampling and analysed using mixed models. Significant differences were observed in exploratory behaviour, physical contact, play (social, object, and locomotor), passive behaviour, and vocalisation. Cats from private homes exhibited more exploratory and play behaviour, particularly after reuniting with their caregiver, indicating a positive influence of the familiar person’s presence. Cats from animal shelters exhibited reduced play behaviour, more passive behaviour, and more frequent purring, particularly following reunion. Physical contact increased following separations, indicating attachment. Meowing was most frequent during absences and reunions, possibly reflecting stress and renewed social contact. Outdoor access emerged as a potential influencing factor for exploratory behaviour. In summary, attachment behaviours in cats were significantly influenced by the living environment, access to the outdoors, and the presence of familiar or unfamiliar individuals. Certain test phases elicited particularly strong behavioural responses. Full article

Backgroud/Objectives: Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is a significant public health concern due to dogs serving as reservoirs for human infection. An accurate and rapid diagnostic method to distinguish symptomatic and asymptomatic CVL from healthy and vaccinated animals is essential for controlling canine and human disease. Developing innovative antibody detection techniques and exploring new antigens are essential for enhancing CVL testing efficiency. Our study focuses on a multiplex flow cytometry technique to detect Leishmania-specific antibodies in canine serum. This involved conjugating small peptides with carrier proteins or peptide tags, sequences designed to facilitate bead coupling. Methods: A peptide from the L. infantum A2 protein was coupled to beads in three forms: unconjugated, conjugated with BSA, and conjugated with a C-terminal β-alanine–lysine (x4)–cysteine TAG. This TAG was previously designed to enhance peptide solubility, improve binding efficiency, and provide functional groups for covalent attachment to the beads, ensuring stable immobilization in the multiplex assay. Results: Our results suggest that the multiplex approach shows promise as a rapid serological test for CVL, particularly with TAG-conjugated peptides, which optimize bead coupling. However, peptide/BSA conjugation revealed anti-BSA antibodies in samples from healthy and CVL dogs. Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings highlight the potential of multiplex methodologies to enhance CVL diagnostics and caution against using BSA as a bead coupling agent in serological tests for canine samples due to its impact on test specificity and sensitivity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Periodontal regeneration remains a primary goal in contemporary periodontal therapy, aiming to restore both the structural and functional integrity of tissues lost due to periodontitis. Recent advancements in biomaterials, growth factors, and biologically active matrices have expanded the therapeutic possibilities in clinical practice. This narrative review aimed to summarize recent developments in regenerative approaches in periodontology, emphasizing their biological principles, clinical outcomes, and current limitations. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed Central and Scopus for randomized controlled trials and clinical trials published between January 2015 and July 2025. Human studies in English, available in open access and evaluating periodontal regenerative approaches, were included, while animal, in vitro, and non-clinical studies were excluded. A total of 67 articles met the eligibility criteria. Data were synthesized in both tabular and narrative form. Results: Most trials reported clinically relevant improvements in probing depth reduction, clinical attachment gain, and defect fill when regenerative biomaterials were applied in appropriately selected intrabony defects, although outcomes varied according to defect morphology, surgical protocol, and patient-related factors. Conclusions: Although substantial progress has been made, true periodontal regeneration remains challenging. Regenerative techniques such as GTR/GBR, EMD, platelet concentrates, and hyaluronic acid show favorable outcomes in appropriately selected cases, although overall predictability remains limited by variability in study design and short follow-up periods. High-quality, standardized RCTs are needed to consolidate current evidence and support guideline-based clinical decision-making. Full article

Introduction: While pet ownership (PO) is generally associated with better psychological health, research does not consistently demonstrate this relationship among community living older adults. Pet attachment has been suggested as a mechanism for the health benefits associated with pet ownership. We examine the contributions of PO and pet attachment to maintaining psychological health among generally healthy, cognitively intact, community-dwelling older adults as they age. Methods: Older adults (N = 596; age: ≥50, M = 67.6, SD = 9.5 years, pet owners N = 178) completed PO history and assessments of anxiety, depression, happiness, and mental wellbeing every 1–4 years. Pet owners completed demographic and pet attachment assessments. Linear mixed models with random intercepts and covariates of initial age, sex, race, live alone, married, and comorbidities quantified longitudinal changes (M = 7.5, SD = 3.6 years) according to time-varying PO, pet attachment, and dog walking to these changes. Results: PO moderated changes in anxiety (p = 0.011) and happiness (p = 0.037), which improved in pet owners and deteriorated in non-owners, and in mental wellbeing (p = 0.007), which deteriorated faster in pet owners; PO was not related to changes in depression. Pet attachment was related to worsening mental wellbeing (p = 0.012). Dog walking was related to slower increases in anxiety (p = 0.005) and depression (p = 0.004). Conclusions: This study provides important longitudinal evidence that PO may reduce age-related decline in owners’ psychological health later in life. Pet attachment does not appear to be the mechanism for the advantages of PO. We suggest potential reasons. Additional research is needed to confirm mechanisms. Full article

Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) or Services (AAS) may cause stress in participating dogs, making the selection of suitable individuals essential to prevent strain. Different non-standardized approaches currently exist to assess dogs’ suitability for AAIs. This preliminary study aimed at evaluating two combined tools, a behavioural aptitude test (SuiTe) and an ad hoc revised questionnaire incorporating C-BARQ, for pre-screening dog suitability for AAIs, also in relation to salivary cortisol measured by enzyme immunoassay in N = 38 dogs. Dogs’ behavioural responses to environmental and social stimuli were scored on an X-Y scale and classified by two independent evaluators as suitable (S), pending suitability (P), or unsuitable (U). Non-parametric tests were performed (p < 0.05). Results indicated significant differences between dogs classified as S or P versus U, both in SuiTe valence scores (higher in S and P) and in separation, attachment, and fear/anxiety behaviours assessed by the questionnaire (higher in U). However, suitability in the SuiTe was lower than that assessed by caregivers through an open question. Our study highlights the complexity of this assessment and the limited awareness of caregivers regarding the situations their dogs face every day. Future analyses will refine this multiparametric approach within a One Welfare perspective, ensuring the welfare of both animals and humans involved in AAIs. Full article

Breast cancer continues to rank among the most common and complex cancers worldwide. A promising approach is the direct delivery of drugs to cancer cells via specially designed nanocarriers that can target specific receptors on their surface, like folate receptors. When combined with other therapies, these functionalized nanocarriers can increase the effectiveness of treatment by more precisely targeting cancer cells than traditional methods that rely on passive targeting. Folate receptors are glycoproteins with four isoforms, for which both laboratory and animal models have shown encouraging results in research. The numerous chemical methods for attaching folic acid (FA) and enhancing drug delivery in folic acid-modified nanocarriers for breast cancer are examined in this review. Additionally, it examines how these smart carriers combine chemotherapy with alternative therapies like photodynamic therapies and state-of-the-art theranostics. The review highlights how important it is to carry out comprehensive testing to ensure that these innovations can successfully move from the lab to real clinical settings, even though the potential is evident. Full article

Nasotracheal Intubation (NTI) is a common route of airway management in many situations. Over the years, numerous techniques and approaches have been described in performing NTI safely and effectively, including many innovative techniques being published in recent years. However, there hasn’t been a summary of the recent approaches to NTI, especially in an easy, clinically applicable decision making format. In fact, the last algorithmic approach to nasal intubation in the literature was published in 2008. This comprehensive review details an updated analysis of NTI techniques along with a new adapted algorithmic outline to approach NTI in a methodical and stepwise manner. There is also an extensive review of techniques to control epistaxis, which is the most commonly encountered complication during NTI. The newly adapted NTI algorithm simplifies the initial approach to three options: Routine Asleep NTI, Awake NTI, and an Initial Orotracheal Intubation (OTI) followed by Conversion to NTI. Older techniques, such as blind NTI, flexible intubation scope guided, “look before you leap” approach and cuff inflation technique, are discussed along with incorporation of newer techniques, such as videolaryngoscope guided, hybrid, alignment approach, and OTI to NTI conversion. Uniquely, this manuscript reviews all published techniques for converting OTI to NTI and categorizes them into two pathways: direct conversion (with glottic visualization) or indirect conversion (without glottic visualization). Furthermore, original animated videos have been created and attached to help elucidate these conversion techniques visually. Full article

Humans show neural specificity in processing animal-related information, especially regarding companion animals. However, the underlying cognitive mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study’s main objective is to investigate human neural specificity in processing companion animal-related information, compared to other animal types and inanimate objects. Forty participants viewed four image types (companion animals, neutral animals, positive objects, neutral objects) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans and judged image categories. T-test results showed: 1. Processing companion animal-related information elicited specific brain activation in the right Inferior Parietal Lobe (right IPL), right Middle Occipital Gyrus (right MOG), left Superior Frontal Gyrus (left SFG), and left Precuneus (left PCu) (<0.05). 2. Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction (gPPI) analysis revealed specific functional connectivity changes between relevant brain regions during companion animal info processing (<0.05). 3. Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM) analysis showed significant intrinsic connectivity differences between pet owners and non-pet owners: specifically, left IPL to left PCu and right ACC to right MOG (posterior probability, Pp > 0.95). The results of this study demonstrate that humans exhibit distinct neural specificity when processing information related to companion animals compared with livestock and inanimate objects. This neural specificity involves brain regions linked to higher-order cognitive functions (e.g., visual processing, emotion, and attachment), all of which are integral components of the human attachment network. These regions are part of the human attachment network, and their functional role likely relates to attachment mechanisms. These findings help clarify companion animals’ impact on human neural activity during human–animal interactions and guide applications like animal-assisted therapy. Full article

Humans form deep attachments to some nonhuman animals, yet these attachments are unequally distributed across the tree of life. Drawing on evolutionary biology, comparative cognition, neuroscience, and cultural anthropology, this narrative review explains why empathy and affective preference are typically stronger for phylogenetically closer species—especially mammals—than for distant taxa such as reptiles, fish, or arthropods. We synthesize evidence that signal recognizability (faces, gaze, vocal formants, biological motion) and predictive social cognition facilitate mind attribution to mammals; conserved neuroendocrine systems (e.g., oxytocin) further amplify affiliative exchange, particularly in domesticated dyads (e.g., dog–human). Ontogenetic learning and media narratives magnify these effects, while fear modules and disgust shape responses to some distant taxa. Notwithstanding this average gradient, boundary cases—cephalopods, cetaceans, parrots—show that perceived agency, sociality, and communicative transparency can overcome phylogenetic distance. We discuss measurement (behavioral, psychophysiological, neuroimaging), computational accounts in predictive-processing terms, and implications for animal welfare and conservation. Pragmatically, calibrated anthropomorphism, hands-on education, and messaging that highlights agency, parental care, or ecological function reliably broaden concern for under-represented taxa. Recognizing both evolved priors and cultural plasticity enables more equitable and effective science communication and policy. Expanding empathy beyond its ancestral anchors is not only an ethical imperative but a One Health necessity: safeguarding all species means safeguarding the integrity of our shared planetary life. Full article

Recent issues that have emerged in regard to raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) include interaction with humans and disease transmission. Therefore, understanding their habitat characteristics and preferences is crucial in the effort to limit conflicts with humans. A total of thirteen raccoon dogs were captured from three regions in South Korea, each with distinct habitat characteristics. GPS trackers were attached for tracking the raccoon dogs’ movements. Utilizing GPS tracking data, Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP), and Jacobs Index were applied to learn more about the habitat preferences of the raccoon dogs. According to the results, the habitat composition ratios for KDE and MCP showed that forests had the largest proportion. However, a habitat composition ratio similar to the land proportion of the area that they inhabit indicated that raccoon dogs had the ability to adapt to various habitats. Jacobs Index analysis revealed different habitat selection patterns compared to KDE and MCP, with forests showing neutral to negative selection despite comprising large proportions of home ranges. Our results highlight important methodological considerations when inferring habitat preferences from spatial data, suggesting that multiple analytical approaches provide complementary insights into animal space use. Full article

Animal-borne tags are widely used for tracking and monitoring the movements, behaviour, and ecology of marine animals. Tagging can, however, adversely affect the hydrodynamic force balance and welfare of tagged animals, and consequently, the reliability and accuracy of data, such as by increasing drag, altering swimming characteristics, and reducing the survival rate of tagged animals. Therefore, it is important to understand and quantify the impact of tagging on marine animal hydrodynamics and to optimize the choice of tag and attachment position. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling is used to simulate the flow around tagged and untagged mako sharks (Lamnidae) across their swim speed range for two dominant tag shapes, tagging sites, and body sizes. The results indicate that fin mounted tags can have a significant impact on shark hydrodynamics and energetic balance, increasing drag between 17.6% and 31.2% for a mako shark (2.95 m fork length) across the range of flow velocities tested (0.5 to 9.1 m/s). In comparison, the optimal tagging site for archival tags attached to the dorsal musculature leads to a minimal increase in drag for the larger sharks (>1.5 m), which becomes considerable for small sharks (1 m fork length; 5.1% to 7.6% increase) and leads to an average energetic cost equivalent to 7% of the daily energetic requirement of an untagged animal. Other aspects of the force balance are considered, which reveal a range of varied and complex effects. Recommendations for animal size thresholds (>1.5 m FL) and refinements of tagging practice are suggested. Full article