scholarly journals Immune challenges increase network centrality in a queenless ant

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1958) ◽  
pp. 20211456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Alciatore ◽  
Line V. Ugelvig ◽  
Erik Frank ◽  
Jérémie Bidaux ◽  
Asaf Gal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Status ◽  
Cuticular Hydrocarbon ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Network Centrality ◽  
Automated Scoring ◽  
Behavioural Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Social Partners ◽  
Immune Challenges ◽  
Queenless Ant

Social animals display a wide range of behavioural defences against infectious diseases, some of which increase social contacts with infectious individuals (e.g. mutual grooming), while others decrease them (e.g. social exclusion). These defences often rely on the detection of infectious individuals, but this can be achieved in several ways that are difficult to differentiate. Here, we combine non-pathogenic immune challenges with automated tracking in colonies of the clonal raider ant to ask whether ants can detect the immune status of their social partners and to quantify their behavioural responses to this perceived infection risk. We first show that a key behavioural response elicited by live pathogens (allogrooming) can be qualitatively recapitulated by immune challenges alone. Automated scoring of interactions between all colony members reveals that this behavioural response increases the network centrality of immune-challenged individuals through a general increase in physical contacts. These results show that ants can detect the immune status of their nest-mates and respond with a general ‘caring’ strategy, rather than avoidance, towards social partners that are perceived to be infectious. Finally, we find no evidence that changes in cuticular hydrocarbon profiles drive these behavioural effects.

scholarly journals Inferred predation of Fairy Tern eggs by Ruddy Turnstones at Rottnest Island, Western Australia, an internationally significant shorebird site

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 115-117
Author(s):  
C.N. Greenwell ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Environment Protection ◽  
Egg Predation ◽  
Breeding Colony ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Collective Group ◽  
The Tropics

Ruddy Turnstones Arenaria interpres have been identified as egg-predators at seabird and shorebird colonies, including gull and tern colonies in the tropics and Northern Hemisphere. The Australian Fairy Tern Sternula nereis nereis is a threatened (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Vulnerable) coastal seabird, whose breeding behaviour and ecology expose it to a wide range of threats. This study describes inferred predation on Fairy Tern eggs at a small breeding colony on Rottnest Island, Western Australia, by Ruddy Turnstones, a previously unsuspected predator for thisspecies. Unlike the behavioural response shown towards Silver Gulls Larus novaehollandiae and Australian Ravens Corvus coronoides, which includes collective group defence and dive-bombing, Fairy Terns showed a lack of aggression towards Turnstones within the colony. The lack of a behavioural response suggests that the Terns did not recognise the Turnstones as predators, which may increase the risk of egg-predation. This study suggests that we should be alert to threats from unsuspected predators, which have the potential to reduce the breeding success of this Vulnerable tern.

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids and Psychiatric-Related Effects: A Review*

1992 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo Uzych
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Anabolic Androgenic Steroids ◽  
Anabolic Androgenic Steroid ◽  
Steroid Use ◽  
Clinical Observations ◽  
Behavioural Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Disparate Data ◽  
Androgenic Steroids

Anabolic-androgenic steroid use may have a wide range of adverse psychiatric and behavioural effects. The available data, however, are often inconsistent and inconclusive concerning possible effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids on libido in men, in women and also the way in which they affect libido differently in males and females. Anabolic-androgenic steroids may both relieve and cause depression. Cessation or diminished use of anabolic-androgenic steroids may also result in depression. More study is required to determine whether or not the disparate data on depression are consistent clinical observations. The level of testosterone appears to be positively associated with “aggression”, particularly in response to provocation! Various psychotic symptoms and manic episodes may be associated with anabolic-androgenic steroids. The possibility of hypomania induced by synthetic androgens must also be considered.

scholarly journals ФАРМАКОЛОГІЧНА ДІЯ ПРЕПАРАТУ «ЕКОСОРБ 25» ТА ВПЛИВ НА РІВЕНЬ НАПРУЖЕНОСТІ ІМУНІТЕТУ СВИНЕЙ, ЩО ЗНАХОДЯТЬСЯ НА ВІДГОДІВЛІ

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3(71)) ◽  
pp. 75-78
Author(s):  
Zh. Rybachuk
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Control Group ◽  
System Reduction ◽  
Group Content ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Given

In the articles resulted the uses of preparation given inrelation to expediency are with adsorbent properties of «Еcosorb 25» for pigs that are on fattening. Undertakenstudies it is well–proven that introduction in the complementof ration of the indicated adsorbent from a calculation 5 kg/1the ton of forage is predetermined by an increase in the serum of blood of content of immunoproteins. Content ofimmunoproteins is in the serum of blood of pigs, that it isexposed to research to application of adsorbent was differentand was in a wide range, a mean value was 15.9 ± 3.2 gs/l immune status of investigational population is different Accordingly. Consider that such wide range of data testifiesto different activity of functioning of the immune system andconditioned by the different antigen loading each ofinvestigationalanimals. In a 21 twenty–four hours, after thebeginning of application of adsorbent of «Еcosorb 25» content of immunoproteins in the serum of blood of pigs of anexperience group is considerably less in comparing to theanimals that in composition a ration got «Ecosorb 25». Forthese pigs (control group) content of immunoproteins was at the level of a 16.6 ± 1.27g/l, but substantially differed for every animal, that testifiedtheir immune status to different. For the pigs of an experiencegroup a difference is between the least and maximal index ofcontent of immunoproteins presented 17.8% that specified onalmost identical reactivity of the immune system (reduction ofreceipt of antigens, maybe and mycotoxins from agastrointestinal tract). Got the given is conditioned by thedisplay of adsorbent action of preparation that is entered to the ration of pigs of an experience group. Positive influence of «Ecosorb 25» on functioning of the immune system atintroduction to the ration of pigs that are on fattening, theresults of research of serum of blood testify through 2 missesafter the beginning of application. Reduction to content of immunoproteins is registered in theserum of blood of pigs of control group on 15.7% comparing to the previous index (21twenty–four hours) and 19.5% animals of an experience group. For certain (Р ≥ 0,99) contentof immunoproteins increased in the serum of blood of pigs ofan experience group 17 ± 0.25 gs/of to 14.0 ± 0.76 g/l that maybe it contingently the receipt of substances with animmunodepressive action (including and micotoxins) in the organism of animals of control group. Id est, at feeding to the pigs of preparation of «Ecosorb 25» with adsorbent properties during 2th months, stipulated reduction of receiptof toxins in blood, and accordingly and reduction offunctional activity immune. It provides rapid reactivity of the immune system andsynthesis of sufficient amount of antibodies at the hit ofmicroorganisms to the organism of pigs, that in compositiona ration got an adsorbent. As for the animals of control group registered reduction to content of immunoproteins in theserum of blood, it testifies to weakening of functional activityof the immune system. The difference of content ofimmunoproteins in the serum of blood of pigs testifies to the increase of providing of better immunological defence in the organism of animals of anexperience group and reduction of him in a control group. 

scholarly journals Characterisation of the Behavioural Effects of a Thoracic Squeeze in Healthy Newborn Piglets

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2465
Author(s):  
Sophia E. Holdsworth ◽  
Nikki J. Kells ◽  
Kirsty L. Chidgey ◽  
Emilie Vallée ◽  
Neil Ward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Neonatal Piglets ◽  
Newborn Piglets ◽  
Behavioural State ◽  
Healthy Newborn ◽  
Behavioural Effects ◽  
Eye Closure

A thoracic squeeze has been observed to cause both healthy and low vigour neonatal foals to enter a ‘less-responsive state’, characterised by loss of posture, eye closure and cessation of movement, from which they rapidly recover to express normal healthy behaviours when the squeeze is released. To date, there have been no systematic studies characterising the responses of healthy neonates of other mammalian species to a thoracic squeeze. We describe the responses of healthy newborn piglets (n = 17) to a standardised application of the thoracic squeeze and evaluate the effect of the method of squeeze application on the response. Neonatal piglets were squeezed around the chest with either a soft fabric rope as has been used in foals (n = 8) or a novel purpose-made inflation cuff (n = 9). Both methods were effective at inducing a less-responsive behavioural state in all piglets, with neural reflexes reduced or absent in over half of them. The inflation cuff appeared to induce the less-responsive state faster than the rope, and more piglets squeezed with the cuff remained in this state for the full 10-min squeeze. These findings suggest that the behavioural response of foals to thoracic squeezing can be generalised to neonates of other precocial mammalian species. This initial study provides a foundation for further research using the inflation cuff to explore mechanisms underlying the thoracic squeeze and ways in which it may be applied whilst performing husbandry procedures.

scholarly journals DREAMTools: a Python package for scoring collaborative challenges

F1000Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Cokelaer ◽  
Mukesh Bansal ◽  
Christopher Bare ◽  
Erhan Bilal ◽  
Brian M. Bot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Methods ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Automated Scoring ◽  
Statistical Machine Learning ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Improved Methods ◽  
Python Package

DREAM challenges are community competitions designed to advance computational methods and address fundamental questions in system biology and translational medicine. Each challenge asks participants to develop and apply computational methods to either predict unobserved outcomes or to identify unknown model parameters given a set of training data. Computational methods are evaluated using an automated scoring metric, scores are posted to a public leaderboard, and methods are published to facilitate community discussions on how to build improved methods. By engaging participants from a wide range of science and engineering backgrounds, DREAM challenges can comparatively evaluate a wide range of statistical, machine learning, and biophysical methods. Here, we describe DREAMTools, a Python package for evaluating DREAM challenge scoring metrics. DREAMTools provides a command line interface that enables researchers to test new methods on past challenges, as well as a framework for scoring new challenges. As of September 2015, DREAMTools includes more than 80% of completed DREAM challenges. DREAMTools complements the data, metadata, and software tools available at the DREAM website http://dreamchallenges.org and on the Synapse platform https://www.synapse.org.Availability: DREAMTools is a Python package. Releases and documentation are available at http://pypi.python.org/pypi/dreamtools. The source code is available at http://github.com/dreamtools.

scholarly journals DREAMTools: a Python package for scoring collaborative challenges

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Cokelaer ◽  
Mukesh Bansal ◽  
Christopher Bare ◽  
Erhan Bilal ◽  
Brian M. Bot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Methods ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Automated Scoring ◽  
Statistical Machine Learning ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Improved Methods ◽  
Python Package

DREAM challenges are community competitions designed to advance computational methods and address fundamental questions in system biology and translational medicine. Each challenge asks participants to develop and apply computational methods to either predict unobserved outcomes or to identify unknown model parameters given a set of training data. Computational methods are evaluated using an automated scoring metric, scores are posted to a public leaderboard, and methods are published to facilitate community discussions on how to build improved methods. By engaging participants from a wide range of science and engineering backgrounds, DREAM challenges can comparatively evaluate a wide range of statistical, machine learning, and biophysical methods. Here, we describe DREAMTools, a Python package for evaluating DREAM challenge scoring metrics. DREAMTools provides a command line interface that enables researchers to test new methods on past challenges, as well as a framework for scoring new challenges. As of March 2016, DREAMTools includes more than 80% of completed DREAM challenges. DREAMTools complements the data, metadata, and software tools available at the DREAM website http://dreamchallenges.org and on the Synapse platform at https://www.synapse.org.Availability: DREAMTools is a Python package. Releases and documentation are available at http://pypi.python.org/pypi/dreamtools. The source code is available at http://github.com/dreamtools/dreamtools.

It's not what you hear, it's the way you think about it: appraisals as determinants of affect and behaviour in voice hearers

2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1507-1514 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Peters ◽  
S. L. Williams ◽  
M. A. Cooke ◽  
E. Kuipers
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Affective Response ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Way

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that beliefs about voices mediate the relationship between actual voice experience and behavioural and affective response.MethodWe investigated beliefs about voice power (omnipotence), voice intent (malevolence/benevolence) and emotional and behavioural response (resistance/engagement) using the Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire – Revised (BAVQ-R) in 46 voice hearers. Distress was assessed using a wide range of measures: voice-related distress, depression, anxiety, self-esteem and suicidal ideation. Voice topography was assessed using measures of voice severity, frequency and intensity. We predicted that beliefs about voices would show a stronger association with distress than voice topography.ResultsOmnipotence had the strongest associations with all measures of distress included in the study whereas malevolence was related to resistance, and benevolence to engagement. As predicted, voice severity, frequency and intensity were not related to distress once beliefs were accounted for.ConclusionsThese results concur with previous findings that beliefs about voice power are key determinants of distress in voice hearers, and should be targeted specifically in psychological interventions.

scholarly journals Histoplasma variation and adaptive strategies for parasitism: new perspectives on histoplasmosis.

1991 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
L G Eissenberg ◽  
W E Goldman
Keyword(s):  
Histoplasma Capsulatum ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Dynamic Environments ◽  
Phenotypic Switching ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Fungal Population ◽  
Persistent Infections ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Natural Variations

This review summarizes the biology of Histoplasma capsulatum in relation to a wide variety of corresponding pathologies in histoplasmosis. Features of these disease syndromes can be explained in part by natural variations within the fungal population and adaptations made by individual organisms to specific environments. H. capsulatum grows as mycelia and conidia in the soil; once inhaled, the organism undergoes a dramatic morphological and physiological conversion to a yeast form. The yeasts proliferate within the phagolysosomes of macrophages, using a variety of specific strategies for intracellular survival. Even avirulent strains or variants are able to avoid being killed by macrophages and instead establish inapparent or persistent infections. The ingested avirulent organisms assume enlarged shapes similar in appearance to those seen in histological sections of tissues from patients with histoplasmosis. Respiratory tract epithelial cells also appear to play a role in persistence: within them yeasts undergo phenotypic switching akin to the phase variation observed in other pathogens. This particular change involves the loss or modification of cell wall alpha-(1,3)-glucan, which is also correlated with the spontaneous appearance of avirulent variants. The repertoire of adaptive responses and natural variations within this species probably evolved from the need to adjust to a wide range of dynamic environments. In combination with the immune status of the host, these characteristics of H. capsulatum appear to influence the epidemiology, extent, and persistence of histoplasmosis.

scholarly journals Plausible role of Arq Ajīb in combating COVID-19: A multi-faceted review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 141-148
Author(s):  
Noman Anwar ◽  
N. Zaheer Ahmed ◽  
Shehnaz Begum
Keyword(s):  
Global Economy ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Massive Change ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

The current pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to a massive change in every aspect of our lives. It has grossly affected the healthcare system, business and world trade, disruption of movement and supply of essential goods and has crippled the global economy. Although few vaccines have been approved for the control of disease, targeted therapy options for this virulent disease still remain limited and elusive. Exhaustive search for potent therapeutic candidate is in progress, for which herbal armory are also being explored. Medicinal plants and their products play a vital role in alleviating various diseases and have been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Plant-based drugs with antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulotry activities were hypothetically considered as potential drugs to prevent and mitigate the prevailing situation caused by SARS-CoV-2. Arq Ajīb ‘a Unani formulation’ presents compelling approach in treating numerous diseases. The ingredients of Arq Ajīb and their phytocompounds have been reported for wide-ranging pharmaco-biological activities including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulotry, anti-allergic, antitussive and bronchodilatory activities. Scientific data available on the formulation ingredients and their phytocompounds indicates that the formulation may have a significant role in augmenting the immune status of individual, protecting them from infection and providing symptomatic relief to patients affected with COVID-19. Hence, it may be considered as a potential drug for the development of novel therapeutic candidate for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This multi-faceted review highlights the therapeutic significance and pharmacological actions of Arq Ajīb and its ingredients to demonstrate the plausible role of the formulation in combating COVID-19. Keywords: Arq Ajīb, COVID-19, Pudina, Ajwain, Camphor, Unani formulation

Corporate Network Centrality Score: Methodologies and Informativeness

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger S. Debreceny ◽  
Asheq Rahman ◽  
Tawei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Capital Markets ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Network Centrality ◽  
Firm Characteristics ◽  
Market Participants ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Corporate Network ◽  
Centrality Score ◽  
Jel Classifications

ABSTRACT This research proposes a Corporation Network Centrality Score (CNCS) that exploits the social network implicit in Twitter interactions that are relevant to capital markets. The CNCS is the eigenvector network centrality score for interactions about corporations. The CNCS provides a summary numeric metric that captures a wide range of market-relevant information about the corporation it represents. The study asserts that the CNCS will assist the monitoring of corporations by auditors, regulators, and other market participants. The research calculates the CNCS for Standard & Poor's (S&P) 1500 firms and then tests the robustness of the metric by regressing CNCS on a set of variables that are known to convey firm fundamentals information to the capital markets. The study finds that CNCS is strongly associated with firm-led disclosures, market-based firm characteristics, and accounting-based firm fundamentals information. JEL Classifications: M41.

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