A growing body of evidence from across taxa suggests that exposure to elevated levels of glucocorticoids during early development can have long-term effects upon physiological and behavioral phenotypes. Additionally, ...A growing body of evidence from across taxa suggests that exposure to elevated levels of glucocorticoids during early development can have long-term effects upon physiological and behavioral phenotypes. Additionally, there is some, though limited, evidence that similar early exposure can also negatively impact cognitive ability. Following pioneering mammalian studies, several avian studies have revealed that the responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis as an adult can be explained by levels of corticosterone, the avian glucocorticoid, the individual experienced as a nestling or even as an embryo via yolk exposure. Studies also suggest that perinatal exposure to corticosterone can have effects upon avian ＇personalities＇ or coping styles, and findings from mammalian studies suggest that these long-term effects are mediated epigenetically via altered expression of relevant DNA sequences. Although a consistent pattern across-species has yet to emerge, recent work in Florida scrub-jays Aphelocoma coerulescens found that baseline corticosterone levels in ll-day-old nestlings explained 84% of the varia- tion in ＇personality＇ （bold vs. timid） when those individuals were tested approximately seven months later. Nestlings with elevated corticosterone levels were more timid than those individuals that as nestlings experienced relatively low corticosterone levels. Some researchers have suggested that parents might use such mechanisms to ＇program＇ their offsprings＇ phenotype to best fit prevailing environmental conditions. This review will visit what is known about the links between stressful developmental conditions that result in exposure to elevated corticosterone and the short- and long-term effects of this steroid hormone upon central nervous system function and whether alterations thereof are beneficial, deleterious, or neutral. It will concentrate on examples from birds, although critical supporting studies from the mammalian literature will be included as appropriate [Current Zoology 57 （4）： 514-530, 2011].展开更多
The process of dispersal is determined by the interaction of individual （intrinsic） traits and environmental （extrinsic） factors. Although many studies address and quantify dispersal, few evaluate both intrinsic a...The process of dispersal is determined by the interaction of individual （intrinsic） traits and environmental （extrinsic） factors. Although many studies address and quantify dispersal, few evaluate both intrinsic and extrinsic factors jointly. We test the relative importance of intrinsic traits （exploration tendency and size） and extrinsic factors （population density and habitat quality） on dispersal of a medium-sized western United States minnow, southern leatherside chub Lepidomeda aliciae. A generalized linear model with a binomial response was used to determine the probability of individuals dispersing one year after tagging. Medium-sized individuals that were more prone to explore novel environments were 10.7 times more likely to be recaptured outside of their original capture area after a year （dispersal） compared to non-explorer individuals of the same size class. Differences be- tween explorer classifications within the small and large size classes were negligible. Open habitat within 50 m upstream also in- creased the probability of dispersal relative to controls. Relative location within the study reach, and population density were not significantly related to dispersal probabilities of individuals. Our results indicate that understanding of personality may illuminate patterns of dispersal within and among populations展开更多
Mobile health technologies provided innovative solutions for lifestyle interventions and offered reliable methods to evaluate behavioral phenotypes during such interventions.To systematically quantify the impacts of b...Mobile health technologies provided innovative solutions for lifestyle interventions and offered reliable methods to evaluate behavioral phenotypes during such interventions.To systematically quantify the impacts of behavioral compliance on weight-loss and metabolic profiles during lifestyle intervention,a total of 395 Chinese adults with overweight/obesity(BMI≥24 kg/m^(2))or central obesity(waistline≥90 cm for men or≥80 cm for women)were randomly assigned to a smartphone app-based arm(SAA,n=197)or smartphone app plus dietitian arm(SADA,n=198)for 6 months.Compliance scores(0-5)were determined based on fulfilling five behavioral tasks:completing online courses,wearing a smart band,and recording weight,food intake,and blood pressure.SADA had greater weight-loss(-4.94%vs.-2.28%,p<0.001)and lower triglyceride,but higher HDL-C levels(both p<0.05)than SAA after six months.Between-group weight-loss differences were attenuated at compliance scores≥3(SADA:-6.30%vs.SAA:-4.79%,p=0.07).Mediation analysis suggested that compliance scores explained approximately 30% of the additional weight loss in the SADA(p<0.001),and self-weighing was the primary mediator(p<0.05).Higher educational levels,greater initial weight loss,self-perceived simplicity,and satisfaction with the program were potential determinants of intervention compliance.Overall,the superior weight loss and metabolic improvements in the SADA group could be mediated by behavioral compliance,which was possibly influenced by some demographic and intervention response features.Our findings highlighted the roles of behavioral phenotypes and adherence in app-based lifestyle interventions,and added evidence for the future development of more precise strategies in long-term weight management.展开更多
Mice use ultrasonic vocalizations(USVs)to communicate each other and to convey their emotional state.USVs have been greatly characterized in specific life phases and contexts,such as mother isolation-induced USVs for ...Mice use ultrasonic vocalizations(USVs)to communicate each other and to convey their emotional state.USVs have been greatly characterized in specific life phases and contexts,such as mother isolation-induced USVs for pups or female-induced USVs for male mice during courtship.USVs can be acquired by means of specific tools and later analyzed on the base of both quantitative and qualitative parameters.Indeed,different ultrasonic call categories exist and have already been defined.The understanding of different calls meaning is still missing,and it will represent an essential step forward in the field of USVs.They have long been studied in the ethological context,but recently they emerged as a precious instrument to study pathologies characterized by deficits in communication,in particular neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs),such as autism spectrum disorders.This review covers the topics of USVs characteristics in mice,contexts for USVs emission and factors that modulate their expression.A particular focus will be devoted to mouse USVs in the context of NDDs.Indeed,several NDDs murine models exist and an intense study of USVs is currently in progress,with the aim of both performing an early diagnosis and to find a pharmacological/behavioral intervention to improve patients’quality of life.展开更多
基金We thank Michael Ferkin for the invitation to contribute to this volume. During the writing of this review, the authors have been supported in part by the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Memphis.SJS and MAR have also received support from the National Science Foundation （IOS-0919899 to SJS）.
文摘A growing body of evidence from across taxa suggests that exposure to elevated levels of glucocorticoids during early development can have long-term effects upon physiological and behavioral phenotypes. Additionally, there is some, though limited, evidence that similar early exposure can also negatively impact cognitive ability. Following pioneering mammalian studies, several avian studies have revealed that the responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis as an adult can be explained by levels of corticosterone, the avian glucocorticoid, the individual experienced as a nestling or even as an embryo via yolk exposure. Studies also suggest that perinatal exposure to corticosterone can have effects upon avian ＇personalities＇ or coping styles, and findings from mammalian studies suggest that these long-term effects are mediated epigenetically via altered expression of relevant DNA sequences. Although a consistent pattern across-species has yet to emerge, recent work in Florida scrub-jays Aphelocoma coerulescens found that baseline corticosterone levels in ll-day-old nestlings explained 84% of the varia- tion in ＇personality＇ （bold vs. timid） when those individuals were tested approximately seven months later. Nestlings with elevated corticosterone levels were more timid than those individuals that as nestlings experienced relatively low corticosterone levels. Some researchers have suggested that parents might use such mechanisms to ＇program＇ their offsprings＇ phenotype to best fit prevailing environmental conditions. This review will visit what is known about the links between stressful developmental conditions that result in exposure to elevated corticosterone and the short- and long-term effects of this steroid hormone upon central nervous system function and whether alterations thereof are beneficial, deleterious, or neutral. It will concentrate on examples from birds, although critical supporting studies from the mammalian literature will be included as appropriate [Current Zoology 57 （4）： 514-530, 2011].
文摘The process of dispersal is determined by the interaction of individual （intrinsic） traits and environmental （extrinsic） factors. Although many studies address and quantify dispersal, few evaluate both intrinsic and extrinsic factors jointly. We test the relative importance of intrinsic traits （exploration tendency and size） and extrinsic factors （population density and habitat quality） on dispersal of a medium-sized western United States minnow, southern leatherside chub Lepidomeda aliciae. A generalized linear model with a binomial response was used to determine the probability of individuals dispersing one year after tagging. Medium-sized individuals that were more prone to explore novel environments were 10.7 times more likely to be recaptured outside of their original capture area after a year （dispersal） compared to non-explorer individuals of the same size class. Differences be- tween explorer classifications within the small and large size classes were negligible. Open habitat within 50 m upstream also in- creased the probability of dispersal relative to controls. Relative location within the study reach, and population density were not significantly related to dispersal probabilities of individuals. Our results indicate that understanding of personality may illuminate patterns of dispersal within and among populations
基金funded by the Strategic Priority CAS Project(XDB38010300)the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project(2017SHZDZX01).
文摘Mobile health technologies provided innovative solutions for lifestyle interventions and offered reliable methods to evaluate behavioral phenotypes during such interventions.To systematically quantify the impacts of behavioral compliance on weight-loss and metabolic profiles during lifestyle intervention,a total of 395 Chinese adults with overweight/obesity(BMI≥24 kg/m^(2))or central obesity(waistline≥90 cm for men or≥80 cm for women)were randomly assigned to a smartphone app-based arm(SAA,n=197)or smartphone app plus dietitian arm(SADA,n=198)for 6 months.Compliance scores(0-5)were determined based on fulfilling five behavioral tasks:completing online courses,wearing a smart band,and recording weight,food intake,and blood pressure.SADA had greater weight-loss(-4.94%vs.-2.28%,p<0.001)and lower triglyceride,but higher HDL-C levels(both p<0.05)than SAA after six months.Between-group weight-loss differences were attenuated at compliance scores≥3(SADA:-6.30%vs.SAA:-4.79%,p=0.07).Mediation analysis suggested that compliance scores explained approximately 30% of the additional weight loss in the SADA(p<0.001),and self-weighing was the primary mediator(p<0.05).Higher educational levels,greater initial weight loss,self-perceived simplicity,and satisfaction with the program were potential determinants of intervention compliance.Overall,the superior weight loss and metabolic improvements in the SADA group could be mediated by behavioral compliance,which was possibly influenced by some demographic and intervention response features.Our findings highlighted the roles of behavioral phenotypes and adherence in app-based lifestyle interventions,and added evidence for the future development of more precise strategies in long-term weight management.
基金supported by Research Grant from the University of Brescia(to Memo M).
文摘Mice use ultrasonic vocalizations(USVs)to communicate each other and to convey their emotional state.USVs have been greatly characterized in specific life phases and contexts,such as mother isolation-induced USVs for pups or female-induced USVs for male mice during courtship.USVs can be acquired by means of specific tools and later analyzed on the base of both quantitative and qualitative parameters.Indeed,different ultrasonic call categories exist and have already been defined.The understanding of different calls meaning is still missing,and it will represent an essential step forward in the field of USVs.They have long been studied in the ethological context,but recently they emerged as a precious instrument to study pathologies characterized by deficits in communication,in particular neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs),such as autism spectrum disorders.This review covers the topics of USVs characteristics in mice,contexts for USVs emission and factors that modulate their expression.A particular focus will be devoted to mouse USVs in the context of NDDs.Indeed,several NDDs murine models exist and an intense study of USVs is currently in progress,with the aim of both performing an early diagnosis and to find a pharmacological/behavioral intervention to improve patients’quality of life.
