Biological and environmental factors as sources of variation in nocturnal behavior of giraffe

Aesthetic chills, broadly defined as a somatic marker of peak emotional-hedonic responses, are experienced by individuals across a variety of human cultures. Yet individuals vary widely in the propensity of feeling them. These individual differences have been studied in relation to demographics, personality, and neurobiological and physiological factors, but no study to date has explored the genetic etiological sources of variation. To partition genetic and environmental sources of variation in the propensity of feeling aesthetic chills, we fitted a biometrical genetic model to data from 14127 twins (from 8995 pairs), collected by the Netherlands Twin Register. Both genetic and unique environmental factors accounted for variance in aesthetic chills, with heritability estimated at .36 ([.33, .39] 95% CI). We found females more prone than males to report feeling aesthetic chills. However, a test for genotype x sex interaction did not show evidence that heritability differs between sexes. We thus show that the propensity of feeling aesthetic chills is not shaped by nurture alone, but it also reflects underlying genetic propensities.

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THE EFFECTS OF BREED AND CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON WOOL TRAITS OF RANGE SHEEP

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas65-018 ◽

1965 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 91-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

J. A. Vesely ◽

H. F. Peters ◽

S. B. Slen

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Sources Of Variation

Effects of breed and certain environmental factors on seven wool traits were studied in Rambouillet, Romnelet, Canadian Corriedale, and Romeldale sheep. This study included 766 fleeces of 338 mature ewes sheared during 1953 to 1956 and fleeces of 251 yearling ewes sheared during 1954 to 1957.Breed and year effects were the most important sources of variation. Rambouillet yearlings and mature ewes produced more raw wool than Romnelets and Romeldales (P < 0.01), and mature Rambouillets produced more clean wool than Canadian Corriedales, Romnelets, and Romeldales (P < 0.01). Romnelet yearling and mature ewes had a longer staple than Rambouillets (P < 0.01). Rambouillet yearlings and mature ewes produced the finest and most uniform fleeces with the lowest percentage yield.Age of dam had no effect on the wool traits of yearling ewes. Singles and twins or triplets raised singly produced more raw and clean wool than twins (P < 0.01). Dry ewes produced more wool than ewes with lambs (P < 0.01). Wool traits of ewes raising singles did not differ from those of ewes raising twins.

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THE EFFECTS OF BREED AND CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON BIRTH AND WEANING TRAITS OF RANGE SHEEP

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas64-033 ◽

1964 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 215-219 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. A. Vesely ◽

H. F. Peters

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Total Variation ◽

The Other ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Body Conformation ◽

Condition Score ◽

The Face ◽

Total Variability ◽

Sources Of Variation

Data collected during a 4-year period from 830 lambs of the Rambouillet, Romnelet, Canadian Corriedale, and Romeldale breeds were used to estimate the effects of breed and certain environmental factors on birth weight, weaning weight, face cover, conformation, and condition score.Rambouillets ranked first in birth weight and weaning weight, had most wool on the face, and scored poorest in conformation. Romnelets ranked second in weaning weight, had least wool-covering on the face, and were judged superior to the other breeds in conformation and condition. Canadian Corriedales had heavier lambs at birth than Romeldales; however, the Romeldales were more open in the face and scored better in conformation and condition.Year was one of the major sources of variation in weaning weight and conformation. Breed and sex contributed largely to variation in face-cover score. Effects of birth and rearing type (single, twin, or twin raised singly) on birth weight, weaning weight, conformation, and condition were significant (P < 0.01) and accounted for a large part of the total variation in birth weight, weaning weight, and condition score. Age of dam had significant effects on birth weight (P < 0.01) and weaning weight (P < 0.05) but was relatively unimportant as a source of variation. Birth weight increased with advancing date of birth, and weaning weight, body conformation score, and condition score improved with age at weaning.The percentage of total variability (sum of squares) due to the fitting of constants for the factors studied was: birth weight, 47; weaning weight, 47; face cover, 19; conformation, 37; and condition, 24.

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Genetics of physical activity and physical fitness

10.1093/med/9780198757672.003.0020 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Nienke M Schutte ◽

Meike Bartels ◽

Eco JC de Geus

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Measurement Instrument ◽

Future Research ◽

Target Groups ◽

Children And Adolescent ◽

Sources Of Variation ◽

Genetic And Environmental Factors

Regular physical activity and fitness are key contributors to children’s health. It is important to understand sources of variation in phenotypes seen among children and adolescents. It is important to calculate the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors to observed individual differences. Heritability estimates of physical activity vary, depending on sample size and measurement instrument, but the overall importance of environmental factors seems to decrease in adolescence, whereas genetic effects become more prominent. Twin and family studies show that individual differences in maximal oxygen uptake, muscle strength, flexibility, and balance are affected by genetic factors. Some evidence is found for specific genes coding for physical activity and fitness, but children and adolescent studies are limited. Future research should prioritize these target groups as knowledge of the source of individual differences in physical activity and fitness at different time points can optimize the choice and timing of exercise intervention.

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Genetic epidemiology of binging and vomiting

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.173.1.75 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 173 (1) ◽

pp. 75-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

Patrick F. Sullivan ◽

Cynthia M. Bulik ◽

Kenneth S. Kendler

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Bulimia Nervosa ◽

Complex Traits ◽

Population Based ◽

History Of ◽

Best Fitting ◽

Sources Of Variation ◽

Using Data ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

BackgroundBulimia nervosa is typically defined as the combination of the behaviours of binging and vomiting. We sought to clarify the relationship of these behaviours from a genetic epidemiological perspective.MethodUsing data on the lifetime history of binging and vomiting from a personally interviewed population-based sample of female twins (n = 1897), we applied bivariate twin modelling to estimate the sources of variation for these traits.ResultsThe association between having ever binged (23.6%) and having ever induced vomiting (4.8%) was very strong (odds ratio=8.78, P < 0.0001). The best-fitting model indicated that lifetime binging and vomiting were both heritable (46% and 72%) and influenced by individual-specific environmental factors (54% and 28%). The overlap between the genetic (ra = 0.74) and individual-specific environmental factors (re = 0.48) for the two traits was substantial. No violations of the equal environment assumption were evident.ConclusionsIncluding binging and vomiting under the rubric of bulimia nervosa appears to be appropriate. Our data are consistent with the identification of binging and vomiting as complex traits resulting from the interplay of multiple genes and individual-specific environmental influences. In contrast to ‘environmentalist’ theories, our results suggest that genetic influences may be of particular relevance to the aetiology of binging and vomiting.

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Genetic Covariation between Serum γ-Glutamyltransferase Activity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1093/clinchem/48.9.1426 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 48 (9) ◽

pp. 1426-1431 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

John B Whitfield ◽

Gu Zhu ◽

John E Nestler ◽

Andrew C Heath ◽

Nicholas G Martin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽

Model Fitting ◽

Telephone Interviews ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Likelihood Model ◽

Sources Of Variation ◽

Genetic And Environmental Factors

Abstract Background: Several studies have shown that variation in serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in the population is associated with risk of death or development of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, or hypertension. This association is only partly explained by associations between GGT and recognized risk factors. Our aim was to estimate the relative importance of genetic and environmental sources of variation in GGT as well as genetic and environmental sources of covariation between GGT and other liver enzymes and markers of cardiovascular risk in adult twin pairs. Methods: We recruited 1134 men and 2241 women through the Australian Twin Registry. Data were collected through mailed questionnaires, telephone interviews, and by analysis of blood samples. Sources of variation in GGT, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and of covariation between GGT and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by maximum-likelihood model-fitting. Results: Serum GGT, ALT, and AST were affected by additive genetic and nonshared environmental factors, with heritabilities estimated at 0.52, 0.48, and 0.32, respectively. One-half of the genetic variance in GGT was shared with ALT, AST, or both. There were highly significant correlations between GGT and body mass index; serum lipids, lipoproteins, glucose, and insulin; and blood pressure. These correlations were more attributable to genes that affect both GGT and known cardiovascular risk factors than to environmental factors. Conclusions: Variation in serum enzymes that reflect liver function showed significant genetic effects, and there was evidence that both genetic and environmental factors that affect these enzymes can also affect cardiovascular risk.

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Crossbreeding and the effect of certain environmental factors on body weights of Barki and German Merino sheep

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600059256 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 82 (2) ◽

pp. 349-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. H. El Kouni ◽

H. A. Karam ◽

E. S. E. Galal ◽

E. A. Afifi

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Merino Sheep ◽

Body Weights ◽

Sources Of Variation ◽

Effect Of Age

SummaryBody weights at birth, weaning, yearling and 2 years of age were studied on 710 lambs born from 1956 to 1967 and representing Barki, Merino and their F1 and backcross. Body weights ofthe lambs of the two cross-bred groups were intermediate between those of the two pure-breds at birth and exceeded them at weaning. Merino lambs were 0·61 kg heavier than Barki lambs at birth and maintained that advantage throughout the study.Age of dam, type of birth, sex, and year of birth were significant sources of variation on the weights studied. The effect of age of dam and type of birth declined after weaning while that of sex increased.

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Reductionist thinking and animal models in neuropsychiatric research

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x18001231 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nicole M. Baran

Keyword(s):

Animal Models ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽

Model Organisms ◽

Developmental Genetic ◽

Term Study ◽

Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽

Mechanisms Of Plasticity

AbstractReductionist thinking in neuroscience is manifest in the widespread use of animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Broader investigations of diverse behaviors in non-model organisms and longer-term study of the mechanisms of plasticity will yield fundamental insights into the neurobiological, developmental, genetic, and environmental factors contributing to the “massively multifactorial system networks” which go awry in mental disorders.

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The dual nature of obesity in metabolic programming: quantity versus quality of adipose tissue

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20201028 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 134 (18) ◽

pp. 2447-2451

Author(s):

Anissa Viveiros ◽

Gavin Y. Oudit

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Maternal Obesity ◽

Metabolic Programming ◽

Dual Nature ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Adipose Tissue Volume ◽

Males And Females ◽

Metabolically Healthy

Abstract The global prevalence of obesity has been rising at an alarming rate, accompanied by an increase in both childhood and maternal obesity. The concept of metabolic programming is highly topical, and in this context, describes a predisposition of offspring of obese mothers to the development of obesity independent of environmental factors. Research published in this issue of Clinical Science conducted by Litzenburger and colleagues (Clin. Sci. (Lond.) (2020) 134, 921–939) have identified sex-dependent differences in metabolic programming and identify putative signaling pathways involved in the differential phenotype of adipose tissue between males and females. Delineating the distinction between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity is a topic of emerging interest, and the precise nature of adipocytes are key to pathogenesis, independent of adipose tissue volume.

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Shared Responsibilities for Full Participation in Society: Planning Further Integration of the ICF Into AAC

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp1.sig12.83 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (12) ◽

pp. 83-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mary Blake Huer ◽

Travis T. Threats

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Community Support ◽

World Health ◽

International Classification Of Functioning ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Social Service Agencies ◽

Persons With Disabilities ◽

Full Participation

The World Health Organization's (WHO's) 2001 International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) has as one of its central tenets the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. It acknowledges the need for medical and rehabilitation intervention in its biopscychosocial framework. However, the WHO realizes that society must do its part to facilitate this full participation and empowerment. Persons with complex communication needs (PWCCN) often need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in order to express themselves. However, in order to access and successfully use AAC, PWCCN need access to the necessary AAC devices and services, as well as a willing society to interact with them as full contributing members of society. The factors outside of a person's specific physical and/or cognitive functional limitations are addressed in the ICF via the Personal and Environmental Factors. Personal Factors include the individual's personality traits, lifestyle, experiences, social/educational/professional background, race, gender, and age. Environmental Factors include community support systems, social service agencies, governments, social networks, and those persons that interact with the PWCCN. This article addresses the sociopolitical influences on PWCCN and their functioning from a human rights perspective. The necessary introspective role of speech-language pathologists in this process is explored.

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