Learning, memory and exploratory similarities in genetically identical cloned dogs

Somatic cell nuclear transfer allows generation of genetically identical animals using donor cells derived from animals with particular traits. To date, few studies have investigated whether or not these cloned dogs will show identical behavior patterns. To address this question, learning, memory and exploratory patterns were examined using six cloned dogs with identical nuclear genomes. The variance of total incorrect choice number in the Y-maze test among cloned dogs was significantly lower than that of the control dogs. There was also a significant decrease in variance in the level of exploratory activity in the open fields test compared to age-matched control dogs. These results indicate that cloned dogs show similar cognitive and exploratory patterns, suggesting that these behavioral phenotypes are related to the genotypes of the individuals.

Usefulness of Heart Rate Variability for Qualitative Evaluation of Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between autonomic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy through analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) in diabetic patients, and ultimately to investigate usefulness for HRV analysis for quantitative evaluation and prediction of diabetic autonomic neuropathy. METHOD: We performed nerve conduction study (NCS), H- reflex, and HRV test with 42 diabetic patients. We classified patients by presence of peripheral neuropathy and abnormality of H-reflex, respectively. By comparing standard deviation of RR interval (SDNN), high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), very low frequency (VLF), and total power (whole level of frequency, TP) of HRV, we analyzed the relationship between these parameters and duration of diabetes, age, and results from NCS. RESULTS: There were significant differences of SDNN, HF, TP according to the presence or the absence of peripheral neuropathy. There were significant differences of SDNN, HF according to the presence or the absence of H-reflex abnormality. SDNN and HF had reversed-relationship to the degree of H-reflex abnormality. CONCLUSION: We expect HRV might be used as an efficient quantitative method to detect diabetic autonomic neuropathy and suggest HRV to be used for early detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.