Chemical communication in lizards and a potential role for vasotocin in modulating social interactions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M Campos ◽  
Selma S Belkasim
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Chemical Communication ◽  
Chemical Signals ◽  
Arginine Vasotocin ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Chemosensory Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Lizards use chemical communication to mediate many reproductive, competitive, and social behaviors, but the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying chemical communication in lizards are not well understood and understudied. By implementing a neuroendocrine approach to the study of chemical communication in reptiles, we can address a major gap in our knowledge of the evolutionary mechanisms shaping chemical communication in vertebrates. The neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) and its mammalian homologue vasopressin are responsible for a broad spectrum of diversity in competitive and reproductive strategies in many vertebrates, mediating social behavior through the chemosensory modality. In this review, we posit that, though limited, the available data on AVT-mediated chemical communication in lizards reveals intriguing patterns that suggest AVT plays a more prominent role in lizard chemosensory behavior than previously appreciated. We argue that these results warrant more research into the mechanisms used by AVT to modify the performance of chemosensory behavior and responses to conspecific chemical signals. We first provide a broad overview of the known social functions of chemical signals in lizards, the glandular sources of chemical signal production in lizards (e.g., epidermal secretory glands), and the chemosensory detection methods and mechanisms used by lizards. Then, we review the locations of vasotocinergic populations and neuronal projections in lizard brains, as well as sites of peripheral receptors for AVT in lizards. Finally, we end with a case study in green anoles (Anolis carolinensis), discussing findings from recently published work on the impact of AVT in adult males on chemosensory communication during social interactions, adding new data from a similar study in which we tested the impact of AVT on chemosensory behavior of adult females. We offer concluding remarks on addressing several fundamental questions regarding the role of AVT in chemosensory communication and social behavior in lizards.

scholarly journals The Impact of Early Amygdala Damage on Juvenile Rhesus Macaque Social Behavior

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2124-2140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliza Bliss-Moreau ◽  
Gilda Moadab ◽  
Melissa D. Bauman ◽  
David G. Amaral
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Rhesus Macaque ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Social Behaviors ◽  
Ibotenic Acid ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Facial Displays ◽  
The Impact

The present experiments continue a longitudinal study of rhesus macaque social behavior following bilateral neonatal ibotenic acid lesions of the amygdala or hippocampus, or sham operations. Juvenile animals (approximately 1.5–2.5 years) were tested in four different social contexts—alone, while interacting with one familiar peer, while interacting with one unfamiliar peer, and in their permanent social groups. During infancy, the amygdala-lesioned animals displayed more interest in conspecifics (indexed by increased affiliative signaling) and paradoxically demonstrated more submission or fear (Bauman, Lavenex, Mason, Capitanio, & Amaral, 2004a, this journal). When these animals were assessed as juveniles, differences were less striking. Amygdala-lesioned animals generated fewer aggressive and affiliative signals (e.g., vocalizations, facial displays) and spent less time in social interactions with familiar peers. When animals were observed alone or with an unfamiliar peer, amygdala-lesioned animals, compared with other subjects, spent more time being inactive and physically explored the environment less. Despite the subtle, lesion-based differences in the frequency and duration of specific social behaviors, there were lesion-based differences in the organization of behavior such that lesion groups could be identified based on the patterning of social behaviors in a discriminant function analysis. The findings indicate that, although overall frequencies of many of the observed behaviors do not differ between groups, the general patterning of social behavior may distinguish the amygdala-lesioned animals.

scholarly journals Structural and functional brain-wide alterations in A350V Iqsec2 mutant mice displaying autistic-like behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Lichtman ◽  
Eyal Bergmann ◽  
Alexandra Kavushansky ◽  
Nadav Cohen ◽  
Nina S. Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Ampa Receptor ◽  
Social Preference ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Receptor Trafficking ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ampa Receptor Trafficking

AbstractIQSEC2 is an X-linked gene that is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, and epilepsy. IQSEC2 is a postsynaptic density protein, localized on excitatory synapses as part of the NMDA receptor complex and is suggested to play a role in AMPA receptor trafficking and mediation of long-term depression. Here, we present brain-wide structural volumetric and functional connectivity characterization in a novel mouse model with a missense mutation in the IQ domain of IQSEC2 (A350V). Using high-resolution structural and functional MRI, we show that animals with the A350V mutation display increased whole-brain volume which was further found to be specific to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, using a data-driven approach we identify putative alterations in structure–function relations of the frontal, auditory, and visual networks in A350V mice. Examination of these alterations revealed an increase in functional connectivity between the anterior cingulate cortex and the dorsomedial striatum. We also show that corticostriatal functional connectivity is correlated with individual variability in social behavior only in A350V mice, as assessed using the three-chamber social preference test. Our results at the systems-level bridge the impact of previously reported changes in AMPA receptor trafficking to network-level disruption and impaired social behavior. Further, the A350V mouse model recapitulates similarly reported brain-wide changes in other ASD mouse models, with substantially different cellular-level pathologies that nonetheless result in similar brain-wide alterations, suggesting that novel therapeutic approaches in ASD that result in systems-level rescue will be relevant to IQSEC2 mutations.

scholarly journals Aberrant aggressive behavior in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilach Simchi ◽  
Hanoch Kaphzan
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Angelman Syndrome ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Affiliative Behavior ◽  
Severe Difficulty

AbstractAngelman syndrome (AS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder due to the absence of the E3-ligase protein, UBE3A. Inappropriate social interactions, usually hyper-sociability, is a part of that syndrome. In addition, clinical surveys and case reports describe aggressive behavior in AS individuals as a severe difficulty for caretakers. A mouse model for AS recapitulates most of the human AS phenotypes. However, very few studies utilized this mouse model for investigating affiliative social behavior, and not even a single study examined aggressive behavior. Hence, the aim of the herein study was to examine affiliative and aggressive social behavior. For that, we utilized a battery of behavioral paradigms, and performed detailed analyses of these behaviors. AS mice exhibited a unique characteristic of reduced habituation towards a social stimulus in comparison to their wild-type (WT) littermates. However, overall there were no additional marked differences in affiliative social behavior. In contrast to the mild changes in affiliative behavior, there was a striking enhanced aggression in the AS mice compared to their WT littermates. The herein findings emphasize the use of AS mouse model in characterizing and measuring inappropriate aggressive behavior, and suggests these as tools for investigating therapeutic interventions aimed at attenuating aggressive behavior.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Landsat Data for Change Detection Applications: 50 Years of Monitoring the Earth

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2869
Author(s):  
MohammadAli Hemati ◽  
Mahdi Hasanlou ◽  
Masoud Mahdianpari ◽  
Fariba Mohammadimanesh
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Change Detection ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Atmospheric Correction ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Landsat Images ◽  
Detection Analysis ◽  
The Impact

With uninterrupted space-based data collection since 1972, Landsat plays a key role in systematic monitoring of the Earth’s surface, enabled by an extensive and free, radiometrically consistent, global archive of imagery. Governments and international organizations rely on Landsat time series for monitoring and deriving a systematic understanding of the dynamics of the Earth’s surface at a spatial scale relevant to management, scientific inquiry, and policy development. In this study, we identify trends in Landsat-informed change detection studies by surveying 50 years of published applications, processing, and change detection methods. Specifically, a representative database was created resulting in 490 relevant journal articles derived from the Web of Science and Scopus. From these articles, we provide a review of recent developments, opportunities, and trends in Landsat change detection studies. The impact of the Landsat free and open data policy in 2008 is evident in the literature as a turning point in the number and nature of change detection studies. Based upon the search terms used and articles included, average number of Landsat images used in studies increased from 10 images before 2008 to 100,000 images in 2020. The 2008 opening of the Landsat archive resulted in a marked increase in the number of images used per study, typically providing the basis for the other trends in evidence. These key trends include an increase in automated processing, use of analysis-ready data (especially those with atmospheric correction), and use of cloud computing platforms, all over increasing large areas. The nature of change methods has evolved from representative bi-temporal pairs to time series of images capturing dynamics and trends, capable of revealing both gradual and abrupt changes. The result also revealed a greater use of nonparametric classifiers for Landsat change detection analysis. Landsat-9, to be launched in September 2021, in combination with the continued operation of Landsat-8 and integration with Sentinel-2, enhances opportunities for improved monitoring of change over increasingly larger areas with greater intra- and interannual frequency.

scholarly journals Screening for Melanoma and Other Skin Cancer Shows a Higher Early Melanoma Incidence: Social Educational Program “Life Fear-Free”

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-68
Author(s):  
Lev Demidov ◽  
Igor Samoylenko ◽  
Nina Vand ◽  
Igor Utyashev ◽  
Irina Shubina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Excisional Biopsy ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Non Melanoma Skin Cancer ◽  
The Social ◽  
Educational Campaign ◽  
Skin Cancer Detection ◽  
The Impact

Background: The screening program Life Fear-Free (LFF) aimed at early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma (CM) was introduced in Samara, Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg, and Krasnodar (Russia) in 2019. Objectives: To analyze the impact of the program on early CM and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) detection. Methods: According to the social educational campaign, people were informed about CM risk factors and symptoms and were invited for skin examination. The program planned to involve 3200 participants in total. Participants with suspicious lesions were invited for excisional biopsy. Results: 3143 participants, including 75.4% women, were examined for skin lesions. The average age of the participants was 43.7 years. Mostly skin phototypes II and III were registered (48.2% and 41.0%, respectively); 3 patients had CM, 15 had basal cell carcinoma, and 1 had Bowen’s disease, which were confirmed histologically. All detected melanomas had Breslow’s thickness of 1 mm. Conclusion: The participants showed high interest in early skin cancer detection programs. The incidence rate of CM and NMSCs among the program participants was higher than in general public. The early disease grade was proven for the detected CMs and NMSCs. The study has shown that it is important to continue such programs.

Trust in the Workplace: The Role of Social Interaction Diversity in the Community and in the Workplace

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 378-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Cui ◽  
Ilan Vertinsky ◽  
Sandra Robinson ◽  
Oana Branzei
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Two Cultures ◽  
The Two Cultures ◽  
Collectivistic Cultures ◽  
Capital Development ◽  
The Impact

Extending the literature on social capital development in the community, this article examines the impact of diverse social interactions (in the community and the workplace) on the development of social trust in the workplace, and investigates whether their effects differ in individualistic and collectivistic cultures. Using survey data collected in Canada and China, the authors find that the diversity of one’s social interactions in the community is positively associated with one’s social trust in the workplace, and this relationship is not significantly different between the two cultures. Diversity of one’s social interactions in the workplace is also positively associated with one’s social trust in the workplace, though only in collectivistic cultures.

Social health and nutrition impacts of community kitchens: a systematic review

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Iacovou ◽  
Deanna C Pattieson ◽  
Helen Truby ◽  
Claire Palermo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Nutritional Intake ◽  
Cooking Skills ◽  
Nutritional Health ◽  
Community Kitchens ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveCommunity kitchens have been implemented by communities as a public health strategy to prevent food insecurity through reducing social isolation, improving food and cooking skills and empowering participants. The aim of the present paper was to investigate whether community kitchens can improve the social and nutritional health of participants and their families.DesignA systematic review of the literature was conducted including searches of seven databases with no date limitations.SettingCommunity kitchens internationally.SubjectsParticipants of community kitchens across the world.ResultsTen studies (eight qualitative studies, one mixed-method study and one cross-sectional study) were selected for inclusion. Evidence synthesis suggested that community kitchens may be an effective strategy to improve participants’ cooking skills, social interactions and nutritional intake. Community kitchens may also play a role in improving participants’ budgeting skills and address some concerns around food insecurity. Long-term solutions are required to address income-related food insecurity.ConclusionsCommunity kitchens may improve social interactions and nutritional intake of participants and their families. More rigorous research methods, for both qualitative and quantitative studies, are required to effectively assess the impact of community kitchens on social and nutritional health in order to confidently recommend them as a strategy in evidence-based public health practice.

A noise reduction method for semi-supervised community detection based on harmonic function

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (14) ◽  
pp. 1850166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilin Fan ◽  
Kaiyuan Song ◽  
Dong Liu
Keyword(s):  
Harmonic Function ◽  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Community Detection ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Detection Process ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Detection Approach ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Novel Strategy ◽  
The Impact

Semi-supervised community detection is an important research topic in the field of complex network, which incorporates prior knowledge and topology to guide the community detection process. However, most of the previous work ignores the impact of the noise from prior knowledge during the community detection process. This paper proposes a novel strategy to identify and remove the noise from prior knowledge based on harmonic function, so as to make use of prior knowledge more efficiently. Finally, this strategy is applied to three state-of-the-art semi-supervised community detection methods. A series of experiments on both real and artificial networks demonstrate that the accuracy of semi-supervised community detection approach can be further improved.

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