본 연구는 위장 단계의 소화과정에 관여하는 Gastric lipase (GL)를 반려견을 위한 정적 체외 소화모델(Static in vitro digestion model)에 적용을 검토하기 위하여 실시되었다. GL의 첨가가 체외 소화과정 동안 건물(Dry matter; DM), 조단백질(Crude protein; CP) 그리고 조지방(Ether extracts; EE) 소화율에 미치는 영향을 평가하였다. GL은 위장 소화단계에서 첨가되었다. 위장(39℃, 2 hr.)과 소장(39℃, 4 hr.) 소화 후에 비소화 분획을 분리하였다. 그리고 실험사료와 분리된 비소화 분획에서 DM, CP 그리고 EE 수준을 측정하고 각각의 소화율을 계산하였다. 위장과 소장 소화단계에서 측정된 DM, CP 그리고 EE 소화율은 Control과 GL 그룹 사이에서 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 관찰되지 않았다(p>0.05). 결과적으로 우리의 체외 소화모델에서 GL의 첨가는 DM, CP 그리고 EE의 소화율에는 영향을 미치지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 이와 같은 결과는 정적 체외 소화모델을 이용한 소화율의 평가에 있어서 GL의 역할은 다소 제한적일 수 있다는 것을 시사한다.

The objective of this study was the acoustic analysis of vocalizations of domestic dogs when they want to play with humans. Using a digital camcorder and microphone, we recorded and acoustically analyzed the vocalizations of six 7-month-old dogs (beagle) when they wanted to play with humans. The vocalizations were classified into five types, namely, barking (type Ⅰ, type Ⅱ), whining (type Ⅰ, type Ⅱ), and howling, based on the shapes of waveforms and spectrograms. There was a significant difference in the fundamental frequency (p<0.01), intensity (p<0.0001), 1st formant (p<0.001), 2nd formant (p<0.0001), 3rd formant (p<0.001), and 4th formant (p<0.05) among the vocalizations, whereas the duration was not different (p<0.05). Whining type I showed high values in the fundamental frequency and 3rd formant, while whining type II showed high values in the fundamental frequency and 1st, 2nd, and 4th formant. Further, bark types I and II showed high intensity values, with bark type II having a high value in the 1st formant. Finally, whining showed high values in the 4th formant only and significantly lower values in the 1st and 2nd formants than other vocalizations. Domestic dogs mainly exhibited barking and whining with differences in characteristics of fundamental frequency, intensity, and formant dispersion when they wanted to play with humans during the experiment. Accordingly, we suggest that vocalization could be a useful method for identifying dogs’ intentions or emotional state in a non-invasive manner.

There is a growing interest in animal-assisted intervention (AAI) all over the world. AAI is an umbrella term describing various forms of human-animal teams in formal human service, such as animal-assisted activity (AAA), animal-assisted therapy (AAT), and animal-assisted education (AAE). Animals commonly used as partners in AAI are dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, farm animals, and dolphins. Research on various topics within the field of AAI has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, but AAI approaches are still struggling to establish credibility as a complementary therapy method for a range of medical and psychological conditions. The aim of this review is to scrutinize the research literature related to AAI. Most studies have shown that AAI can have multiple outcomes, including social, psychological, and physical ones, in a wide range of settings. However, studies have not yet examined whether these effects carry over into other contexts. Moreover, study samples have tended to be small, non-representative, heterogeneous, and conducted without control groups. Further research is, thus, necessary to explore the sustainability and long-term benefits of AAI in a variety of settings and for different populations. Also, there is a need for specific guidelines for the welfare of therapy animals, as well as possible directions for standardized professional competencies.