Exogenous oxytocin increases gaze to humans in male cats.

Although oxytocin (OT) plays a role in bonding between heterospecifics and conspecifics, the effects of OT on the formation of such interspecific social behavior have only been investigated between humans and dogs (Canis familiaris). In this study, for comparative evaluation of the effects of OT between dog-human and cat-human social interaction, we investigated the effects of exogenous OT on the behavior of domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) toward humans. We intranasally administered OT or saline to 30 cats using a nebulizer and recorded their behavior (gaze, touch, vocalization, and proximity). The results showed an interaction between the administration condition and sex for gaze duration. Post hoc analyses revealed a significant increase in gaze in the OT condition in male cats but not in females. There were no significant differences in gaze toward owners and strangers in any condition or sex. The male-specific OT-mediated increase in gaze toward humans observed in this study differs from previous research on dogs wherein such effects were observed only in females. These findings suggest an overall effect of exogenous OT on cats' social relationship with humans as well as the possibility of different mechanisms between cat-human and dog-human relationships.

Participatory approaches for developing a practical handbook integrating health information for supporting individuals with mild cognitive impairment and their families.

AIM: This study aimed to develop a patient-centred handbook that integrates information on lifestyle modifications and psychological support strategies for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This article provides a comprehensive record of the development process. METHODS: We adopted a participatory research model for the methodology, which comprised five phases and involved an interdisciplinary team specializing in dementia and health literacy. Data were initially collected via interviews conducted among patients with MCI (n = 5) and their families (n = 5). Given the study's preliminary nature, depth and richness of the qualitative data were the key concerns for determining the sample size, rather than broad generalizability. We ensured the inclusion of diverse experiences and perspectives by facilitating the creation of patient questions (PQs) that merged scientific evidence with patient perspectives. To enhance the handbook's accessibility and utility, we continuously evaluated the same using patient interviews, health literacy tool assessments and team discussions. This comprehensive approach harmonized scientific knowledge and patient experience, leading to the development of a personalized MCI management guide. RESULTS: The handbook comprises nine domains, encompassing 38 selected PQs: MCI, lifestyle, lifestyle-related diseases, exercise, nutrition, social participation, cognitive training, psychological care and family support. The health literacy handbook was evaluated based on Clear Communication Index scores. The results revealed that 73.7% of the PQs were deemed difficult prerevision, whereas only 5.3% remained challenging postrevision. The formative evaluation underscored the need for more detailed explanations prerevision, whereas postrevision comments focused primarily on editorial suggestions. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of patients' perspectives right from the outset ensured that the handbook met their specific needs. The final version, which reflects all stakeholders' inputs, is now slated for imminent publication. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients and the public participated extensively throughout the project, from initial interviews to material evaluation and refinement.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Behavioural Tendencies of Cats and Dogs in Japan.

Physical and mental effects stemming from COVID-19 have impacted not only people's lives but also the lives of their pets, which in recent years are often seen as members of the family. This study aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan on pets and their owners. Participants reported changes in physical activity and mental health, as well as working conditions and frequency of interaction with pets, before and after behavioural restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also asked about their pets' behaviours using the Feline Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (Fe-BARQ) and the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ). This study showed that most cat and dog owners spent more time at home due to the COVID-19 behavioural restrictions and that the frequency of contact interaction with their pets increased. However, this study showed higher stress-related behaviours (e.g., cats: excessive grooming; dogs: aggression towards owners) among pets whose owners increased contact interaction. Furthermore, owners' low mental health was correlated with high stress-related behaviours (e.g., touch sensitivity) in pets. The results of this study indicate that the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan may have affected not only the lives of owners but also the interaction between owners and their pets, and consequently their pets' behaviours. Therefore, there is also concern that changes in lifestyle patterns caused by pandemics could form a negative feedback loop between the health status of both owners and their pets.

Changes in Cat Facial Morphology Are Related to Interaction with Humans.

We aimed to clarify the changes in facial morphology of cats in relation to their interactions with humans. In Study 1, we compared the facial morphology of cats (feral mixed breed, owned domestic mixed breed, and owned domestic purebreds) with that of African wildcats. After collecting 3295 photos, we found that owned domestic cats' noses were significantly shorter than those of African wildcats and feral mixed breed, and there were no significant differences between the latter two. The eye angles were significantly more gradual in owned domestic purebreds than in the other groups. In Study 2, we examined the correlation between facial morphology and years with the owner, and found that the former is not affected by the latter. This suggests that changes in facial morphology are possibly transgenerational changes. The difference in facial morphology between wildcats and owned cats might be caused by domestication, and that between feral cats and owned cats might be due to feralization. In Study 3, we investigated whether cats' facial features affect cuteness ratings. We asked human participants to evaluate the cuteness of cats' face images and found that faces with shorter nose lengths were considered cuter. This suggests that owned domestic cats' facial morphology is preferred by humans.

Isozyme-Specific Role of SAD-A in Neuronal Migration During Development of Cerebral Cortex.

SAD kinases regulate presynaptic vesicle clustering and neuronal polarization. A previous report demonstrated that Sada-/- and Sadb-/- double-mutant mice showed perinatal lethality with a severe defect in axon/dendrite differentiation, but their single mutants did not. These results indicated that they were functionally redundant. Surprisingly, we show that on a C57BL/6N background, SAD-A is essential for cortical development whereas SAD-B is dispensable. Sada-/- mice died within a few days after birth. Their cortical lamination pattern was disorganized and radial migration of cortical neurons was perturbed. Birth date analyses with BrdU and in utero electroporation using pCAG-EGFP vector showed a delayed migration of cortical neurons to the pial surface in Sada-/- mice. Time-lapse imaging of these mice confirmed slow migration velocity in the cortical plate. While the neurites of hippocampal neurons in Sada-/- mice could ultimately differentiate in culture to form axons and dendrites, the average length of their axons was shorter than that of the wild type. Thus, analysis on a different genetic background than that used initially revealed a nonredundant role for SAD-A in neuronal migration and differentiation.