scholarly journals Human proximity seeking in family pigs and dogs

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Pérez Fraga ◽  
Linda Gerencsér ◽  
Attila Andics
Keyword(s):  
Familiar Object ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Sus Scrofa Domesticus ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Stranger ◽  
Time Away ◽  
Early Human ◽  
Domestic Mammal

Abstract Family dogs (Canis familiaris) seek human contact from an early age, can discriminate and prefer their caregivers over other humans. To investigate if being kept as a family animal is sufficient to induce similar early human proximity-seeking in another domestic mammal, here we directly compared such behaviours in dogs and similarly raised domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). We used a preference test to measure proximity-seeking behaviours of 4-month-old family pigs and dogs in the presence of their caregiver and either a stranger or a familiar object, in a novel environment. We found that both pigs and dogs preferred their caregivers over the familiar object but not over the stranger. However, when the caregiver and the stranger were present, only dogs showed an overall preference for human proximity, and pigs spent more time away from both humans. These results suggest that both dogs and pigs seek the proximity of their caregiver, but there is a difference in how each species generalizes their experience to other humans. Species-specific predispositions, including that dogs have a longer socialization period and that humans are more salient as a social stimulus for them, may be important for the early development of an overall preference for humans.

Natural history and risk factors for early human atherogenesis. Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) Research Group

1995 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
J P Strong
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Central Laboratory ◽  
Serum Lipoproteins ◽  
Lesion Development ◽  
Serum Thiocyanate ◽  
History Of ◽  
Young Subjects ◽  
Early Human

Abstract A multi-institutional study, Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY), was initiated to document the natural history of atherosclerosis, its relationship to risk factors, and the pathobiology of lesion development in young subjects. Pathology laboratories in nine centers collected arteries and tissues from > 2000 persons, ages 15-34 years, whose deaths were attributed to homicides, accidents, or suicides. Arteries were evaluated for lesions, and risk factors were analyzed in a central laboratory. Postmortem risk factors include serum lipoproteins, serum thiocyanate (smoking), glycohemoglobin (diabetes), thickness of panniculus adiposus (obesity), changes in small renal arteries (hypertension), and apoprotein isoforms. This PDAY study documents the development of atherosclerosis at an early age and shows that the recognized risk factors for coronary heart disease are associated with lesion development in the arteries of these young subjects. The findings provide a strong justification for reducing risk factors in young persons.

scholarly journals Preferences for nesting material as environmental enrichment for laboratory mice

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Van de Weerd ◽  
P. L. P. Van Loo ◽  
L. F. M. Van Zutphen ◽  
J. M. Koolhaas ◽  
V. Baumans
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Laboratory Mice ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Specific Behaviour ◽  
Nesting Material ◽  
Species Specific

Behavioural and psychological needs of laboratory animals generally cannot adequately be met in standard laboratory cages. Environmental enrichment, which provides a more structured environment can enhance the well-being of laboratory animals. They may perform more of their species-specific behaviour and may control their environment in a better way. An easily applicable form of enrichment for laboratory mice is nesting material. Six different types of nesting materials were evaluated in a preference test with male and female animals of two strains (C57BL/6J or BALB/c, n=48). No significant differences in preference were found between the strains or between the sexes. All mice showed a clear preference for cages with tissues or towels as compared to paper strips or no nesting material, and for cages with cotton string or wood-wool as compared to wood shavings or no nesting material. Paper-derived materials were preferred over wood-derived materials, although the results also suggest that the nature (paper or wood) of the nesting material is less important than its structure, which determines the nestability of the material. Nesting material may be a relatively simple method to contribute to the well-being of laboratory mice.

scholarly journals AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L H Ellis ◽  
Ilona Rodan ◽  
Hazel C Carney ◽  
Sarah Heath ◽  
Irene Rochlitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Home Environment ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Veterinary Practice ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Basic Understanding ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
And Behavior

Guidelines rationale: A cat’s level of comfort with its environment is intrinsically linked to its physical health, emotional wellbeing and behavior. Having a basic understanding of the cat’s species-specific environmental needs and how cats interact with their environment will provide a foundation for addressing these fundamental requirements. Environmental needs: Addressing environmental needs is essential (not optional) for optimum wellbeing of the cat. Environmental needs include those relating not only to the cat’s physical surroundings (indoors or outdoors; in the home environment or at the veterinary practice) but also those affecting social interaction, including responses to human contact. Five ‘pillars’ framework: The authorship panel has organized the Guidelines around five primary concepts (‘pillars’) that provide the framework for a healthy feline environment. Understanding these principles and the unique environmental needs of the cat will help veterinarians, cat owners and care-givers to reduce stress, the incidence of stress-related disorders, and unwanted behavior in their feline patients and pets. The recommendations in the Guidelines apply to all pet cats, regardless of lifestyle.

PCR Identification of Beef, Sheep, Goat, and Pork in Raw and Heat-Treated Meat Mixtures

2004 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIGUEL A. RODRÍGUEZ ◽  
TERESA GARCÍA ◽  
ISABEL GONZÁLEZ ◽  
LUIS ASENSIO ◽  
PABLO E. HERNÁNDEZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Ovis Aries ◽  
Capra Hircus ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Qualitative Detection ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Sus Scrofa Domesticus ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Identification Analysis

A PCR assay has been developed for the specific and qualitative detection of pork ( Sus scrofa domesticus), beef ( Bos taurus), sheep ( Ovis aries), and goat ( Capra hircus) in raw and heat-treated meat mixtures. A forward common primer was designed on a conserved DNA sequence in the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA), and reverse primers were designed to hybridize on species-specific DNA sequences of each species considered. The different sizes of the species-specific amplicons, separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, allowed clear species identification. Analysis of experimental meat mixtures demonstrated that the detection limit of the assay was 1% (wt/wt) for each species analyzed. This assay can be useful for the accurate identification of these species, avoiding mislabeling or fraudulent species substitution in meat mixtures.

Preference for and behavioural response to environmental enrichment in a small population of sexually mature, commercial boars

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-278
Author(s):  
LV Sirovica ◽  
M Creamer ◽  
KM Horback
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Public Concern ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Livestock Species ◽  
Stereotypic Behaviour ◽  
Sus Scrofa Domesticus ◽  
Production Practices ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Sexually Mature

An increasing public concern over the welfare of livestock species is motivating more producers to consider changes to production practices. Providing environmental enrichment for intensively housed animals is one such potentially welfare-enhancing change. The goal of environmental enrichment is to provide biologically relevant environmental stimuli that allows an animal to perform highly motivated, species-specific behaviours. To date, there is no research specific to the applicability of environmental enrichment for commercial boars (Sus scrofa domesticus), nor on commercial boar welfare in general. In this study, eight individually housed, mature boars were observed to prefer interacting with hanging cotton rope enrichment over hanging rubber chew sticks when given the option. There was a significantly negative correlation between the amount of time boars spent interacting with rope and the amount of time they spent performing stereotypic pen manipulation, suggesting that the rope was more effective at reducing stereotypic behaviour than the rubber. Such reductions in amount of time spent performing abnormal stereotypic behaviours could indicate that some of the animals' behavioural needs are being met by the enrichment object. Thus, the results of this study could help provide producers with more objective, research-based suggestions concerning the efficacy of practical enrichment choices for individually housed boars.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-934 is a novel primate-specific small non-coding RNA with neurogenic function during early development

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanella Prodromidou ◽  
Ioannis S Vlachos ◽  
Maria Gaitanou ◽  
Georgia Kouroupi ◽  
Artemis G Hatzigeorgiou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Neurite Growth ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Neuronal Lineage ◽  
Newborn Neurons ◽  
Specific Expression Pattern ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Early Human

Integrating differential RNA and miRNA expression during neuronal lineage induction of human embryonic stem cells we identified miR-934, a primate-specific miRNA that displays a stage-specific expression pattern during progenitor expansion and early neuron generation. We demonstrate the biological relevance of this finding by comparison with data from early to mid-gestation human cortical tissue. Further we find that miR-934 directly controls progenitor to neuroblast transition and impacts on neurite growth of newborn neurons. In agreement, miR-934 targets are involved in progenitor proliferation and neuronal differentiation whilst miR-934 inhibition results in profound global transcriptome changes associated with neurogenesis, axonogenesis, neuronal migration and neurotransmission. Interestingly, miR-934 inhibition affects the expression of genes associated with the subplate zone, a transient compartment most prominent in primates that emerges during early corticogenesis. Our data suggest that mir-934 is a novel regulator of early human neurogenesis with potential implications for a species-specific evolutionary role in brain function.

Electron Microscopy in the Study of Natural Phytoplankton Assemblages

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 620-623
Author(s):  
Linda Sicko-Goad
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Aquatic Environment ◽  
Size Range ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Phytoplankton Assemblages ◽  
Phytoplankton Productivity ◽  
Ecosystem Effects ◽  
Time Of Year ◽  
Species Specific

Although the use of electron microscopy and its varied methodologies is not usually associated with ecological studies, the types of species specific information that can be generated by these techniques are often quite useful in predicting long-term ecosystem effects. The utility of these techniques is especially apparent when one considers both the size range of particles found in the aquatic environment and the complexity of the phytoplankton assemblages.The size range and character of organisms found in the aquatic environment are dependent upon a variety of physical parameters that include sampling depth, location, and time of year. In the winter months, all the Laurentian Great Lakes are uniformly mixed and homothermous in the range of 1.1 to 1.7°C. During this time phytoplankton productivity is quite low.

A Community Based High Risk Register for Hearing Loss

1982 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Fitch ◽  
Thomas F. Williams ◽  
Josephine E. Etienne
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
System Identification ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Communication System ◽  
Auditory Signal ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss

The critical need to identify children with hearing loss and provide treatment at the earliest possible age has become increasingly apparent in recent years (Northern & Downs, 1978). Reduction of the auditory signal during the critical language-learning period can severely limit the child's potential for developing a complete, effective communication system. Identification and treatment of children having handicapping conditions at an early age has gained impetus through the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program (HCEEP) projects funded by the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (BEH).

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