Fish on Prozac: a simple, noninvasive physiology laboratory investigating the mechanisms of aggressive behavior in Betta splendens

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon E. Lynn ◽  
Joseph M. Egar ◽  
Brian G. Walker ◽  
Todd S. Sperry ◽  
Marilyn Ramenofsky
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Betta Splendens ◽  
Physiological Mechanisms ◽  
Laboratory Exercise ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Important Regulator ◽  
Aquarium Water ◽  
Physiology Laboratory

The neuromodulator serotonin is an important regulator of aggressive behavior in vertebrates. Experimentally increasing synaptic levels of serotonin with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has been shown to reliably decrease the expression of aggressive behavior. Here, we describe a method by which fluoxetine can be noninvasively administered to male Betta splendens (an attractive model for the study of aggressive behavior) and describe a simple laboratory exercise that allows students to experimentally investigate the physiological mechanisms of aggressive behavior. We demonstrate that relatively short-term exposure (3 h) of male bettas to as little as 3 μg/ml of fluoxetine-treated aquarium water is sufficient to reduce the expression of specific aggressive behaviors. We emphasize the physiological concepts that can be addressed with this exercise, including the role of the serotonergic system in regulating aggression, and the interplay of environmental contaminants and physiology in regulating the expression of behavior. We also highlight important aspects of experimental design. This exercise can be flexibly altered to accommodate one or several laboratory periods. It is also low cost, is low impact to the animals, and requires minimal preparation time for instructors.

scholarly journals Positive Effects of Prosocial Cartoon Viewing on Aggression Among Children: The Potential Mediating Role of Aggressive Motivation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Mediational Analysis ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Helping Others ◽  
Aggressive Motivation

Prosocial cartoon is characterized by helping others solve difficulties, including helping, donating, sharing, comforting, and cooperating. The current study examined whether viewing a prosocial cartoon decreases aggression immediately upon exposure and the potential mediating role of aggressive motivation. Participants involve 168 children (Mage = 5.87 years, SD = 0.41) nominated by teachers as aggressive from three Chinese kindergartens. Children in the treatment group watched a prosocial cartoon (American cartoon “Handy Manny”), while children in the control group watched a nonprosocial cartoon (Chinese cartoon “Fruity Robo”). Afterward, the Hot Sauce Task (HST) was employed to assess aggressive behavior, and Aggressive Motivation Questionnaire (AMQ) was employed to assess aggressive motivation. Results revealed that viewing a prosocial cartoon (vs. a nonprosocial cartoon) did reduce children’s aggression immediately upon exposure. Specifically, males showed less aggressive behavior than females upon prosocial cartoon exposure, while males showed more aggressive behavior than females upon nonprosocial cartoon exposure. Mediational analysis suggested that the prosocial cartoon effect on aggression was partially mediated by aggressive motivation, especially for males. Consistent with general aggression model (GAM), findings of the study indicated that short-term exposure to a prosocial cartoon decreased children’s aggression by reducing aggressive motivation.

scholarly journals Intestinal NAPE-PLD contributes to short-term regulation of food intake via gut-to-brain axis

2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (3) ◽  
pp. E647-E657
Author(s):  
Marialetizia Rastelli ◽  
Matthias Van Hul ◽  
Romano Terrasi ◽  
Charlotte Lefort ◽  
Marion Régnier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Fat Diet ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Physiological Mechanisms ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1

Our objective was to explore the physiological role of the intestinal endocannabinoids in the regulation of appetite upon short-term exposure to high-fat-diet (HFD) and understand the mechanisms responsible for aberrant gut-brain signaling leading to hyperphagia in mice lacking Napepld in the intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). We generated a murine model harboring an inducible NAPE-PLD deletion in IECs ( NapepldΔIEC). After an overnight fast, we exposed wild-type (WT) and NapepldΔIEC mice to different forms of lipid challenge (HFD or gavage), and we compared the modification occurring in the hypothalamus, in the vagus nerve, and at endocrine level 30 and 60 min after the stimulation. NapepldΔIEC mice displayed lower hypothalamic levels of N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA) in response to HFD. Lower mRNA expression of anorexigenic Pomc occurred in the hypothalamus of NapepldΔIEC mice after lipid challenge. This early hypothalamic alteration was not the consequence of impaired vagal signaling in NapepldΔIEC mice. Following lipid administration, WT and NapepldΔIEC mice had similar portal levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and similar rates of GLP-1 inactivation. Administration of exendin-4, a full agonist of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), prevented the hyperphagia of NapepldΔIEC mice upon HFD. We conclude that in response to lipid, NapepldΔIEC mice displayed reduced OEA in brain and intestine, suggesting an impairment of the gut-brain axis in this model. We speculated that decreased levels of OEA likely contributes to reduce GLP-1R activation, explaining the observed hyperphagia in this model. Altogether, we elucidated novel physiological mechanisms regarding the gut-brain axis by which intestinal NAPE-PLD regulates appetite rapidly after lipid exposure.

Understanding the Role of Chlorine and Ozone to Control Postharvest Diseases in Fruit and Vegetables: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-461
Author(s):  
Gabriela M. Baia ◽  
Otniel Freitas-Silva ◽  
Murillo F. Junior
Keyword(s):  
Chlorine Dioxide ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Postharvest Diseases ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
By Products

Fruits and vegetables are foods that come into contact with various types of microorganisms from planting to their consumption. A lack or poor sanitation of these products after harvest can cause high losses due to deterioration and/ or pathogenic microorganisms. There are practically no post-harvest fungicides or bactericides with a broad spectrum of action that have no toxic residual effects and are safe. However, to minimize such problems, the use of sanitizers is an efficient device against these microorganisms. Chlorine is the most prevalent sanitizing agent because of its broad spectrum, low cost and well-established practices. However, the inevitable formation of disinfection by-products, such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), is considered one of the main threats to food safety. Alternative sanitizers, such as chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and ozone, are becoming popular as a substitute for traditional post-harvest treatments. Thus, this review addresses the use of chlorine, chlorine dioxide and ozone emphasizing aspects, such as usage, safe application, spectrum of action and legislation. In order to ensure the quality and safety of final products, the adoption of well-prepared sanitation and sanitation programs for post-harvest fruits and vegetables is essential.

scholarly journals Vanadium doped CaTiO3 cuboids: Role of vanadium in improving the photocatalytic activity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harsha Bantawal ◽  
Sandhya U. Shenoy ◽  
Denthaje Krishna Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Photocatalytic Activity ◽  
Water Splitting ◽  
Dye Degradation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Physicochemical Stability ◽  
Photocatalytic Dye Degradation

CaTiO3 has attracted enormous interest in the field of photocatalytic dye degradation and water splitting owing to its low cost, excellent physicochemical stability and structural tunability. Herein, we have developed...

scholarly journals Role of miRNAs in Normal Endometrium and in Endometrial Disorders: Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 3457
Author(s):  
Kamila Kolanska ◽  
Sofiane Bendifallah ◽  
Geoffroy Canlorbe ◽  
Arsène Mekinian ◽  
Cyril Touboul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Mirna Expression ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Mirna Regulation ◽  
Rigorous Analysis ◽  
Sexual Hormones ◽  
Physiological Mechanisms ◽  
Normal Endometrium ◽  
Gynecological Disorders

The molecular responses to hormonal stimuli in the endometrium are modulated at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional stages. Any imbalance in cellular and molecular endometrial homeostasis may lead to gynecological disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in a wide variety of physiological mechanisms and their expression patterns in the endometrium are currently attracting a lot of interest. miRNA regulation could be hormone dependent. Conversely, miRNAs could regulate the action of sexual hormones. Modifications to miRNA expression in pathological situations could either be a cause or a result of the existing pathology. The complexity of miRNA actions and the diversity of signaling pathways controlled by numerous miRNAs require rigorous analysis and findings need to be interpreted with caution. Alteration of miRNA expression in women with endometriosis has been reported. Thus, a potential diagnostic test supported by a specific miRNA signature could contribute to early diagnosis and a change in the therapeutic paradigm. Similarly, specific miRNA profile signatures are expected for RIF and endometrial cancer, with direct implications for associated therapies for RIF and adjuvant therapies for endometrial cancer. Advances in targeted therapies based on the regulation of miRNA expression are under evaluation.

scholarly journals Do Institutional Transplants Succeed? Regulating Raiffeisen Cooperatives in South India, 1930–1960

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Maanik Nath
Keyword(s):  
South India ◽  
Financial Regulation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Credit Market ◽  
Rural Credit ◽  
Market State ◽  
The Government ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
Rural Credit Market

The government in British-ruled India established cooperative banks to compete with private moneylenders in the rural credit market. State officials expected greater competition to increase the supply of low-cost credit, thereby expanding investment potential for the rural poor. Cooperatives did increase credit supply but captured a small share of the credit market and reported net losses throughout the late colonial and early postcolonial period. The article asks why this experiment did not succeed and offers two explanations. First, low savings restricted the role of social capital and mutual supervision as methods of financial regulation in the cooperative sector. Second, a political-economic ideology that privileged equity over efficiency made for weak administrative regulation.

scholarly journals Current role of ultrasound in hemodialysis access evaluation

2021 ◽  
pp. 112972982110346
Author(s):  
Meola Mario ◽  
Jose Ibeas ◽  
Jan Malik
Keyword(s):  
Turning Point ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Wireless Systems ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Maturation Period ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
Dialysis Nurses

Physical examination (PE) is considered the backbone before vascular access (VA) placement, during maturation period and for follow-up. However, it may be inadequate in identifying suitable vasculature, mainly in comorbid patients, or in detecting complications. This review highlights the advantages of ultrasound imaging to manage VA before placement, during maturation and follow-up. Furthermore, it analyses the future perspectives in evaluating early and late VA complications thank to the availability of multiparametric platforms, point of care of ultrasound, and portable/wireless systems. Technical improvements and low-cost systems should favor the widespread ultrasound-based VA surveillance programs. This significant turning point needs an adequate training of nephrologists and dialysis nurses and the standardization of exams, parameters, and procedures.

scholarly journals Towards a Glass New World: The Role of Ion-Exchange in Modern Technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4610
Author(s):  
Simone Berneschi ◽  
Giancarlo C. Righini ◽  
Stefano Pelli
Keyword(s):  
Ion Exchange ◽  
Communication Networks ◽  
High Speed ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Happy Marriage

Glasses, in their different forms and compositions, have special properties that are not found in other materials. The combination of transparency and hardness at room temperature, combined with a suitable mechanical strength and excellent chemical durability, makes this material indispensable for many applications in different technological fields (as, for instance, the optical fibres which constitute the physical carrier for high-speed communication networks as well as the transducer for a wide range of high-performance sensors). For its part, ion-exchange from molten salts is a well-established, low-cost technology capable of modifying the chemical-physical properties of glass. The synergy between ion-exchange and glass has always been a happy marriage, from its ancient historical background for the realisation of wonderful artefacts, to the discovery of novel and fascinating solutions for modern technology (e.g., integrated optics). Getting inspiration from some hot topics related to the application context of this technique, the goal of this critical review is to show how ion-exchange in glass, far from being an obsolete process, can still have an important impact in everyday life, both at a merely commercial level as well as at that of frontier research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document