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Da-Silva OF, Adelowo AR, Babalola AA, Ikeji CN, Owoeye O, Rocha JBT, Adedara IA, Farombi EO. Diphenyl Diselenide Through Reduction of Inflammation, Oxidative Injury and Caspase-3 Activation Abates Doxorubicin-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:1076-1092. [PMID: 38267690 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-04098-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Neurotoxicity associated with chemotherapy is a debilitating side effect of cancer management in humans which reportedly involves inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. Diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) is an organoselenium compound which exhibits its anti-tumoral, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic effects. Nevertheless, its possible effect on chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity is not known. Using rat model, we probed the behavioral and biochemical effects accompanying administration of antineoplastic agent doxorubicin (7.5 mg/kg) and DPDS (5 and 10 mg/kg). Anxiogenic-like behavior, motor and locomotor insufficiencies associated with doxorubicin were considerably abated by both DPDS doses with concomitant enhancement in exploratory behavior as demonstrated by reduced heat maps intensity and enhanced track plot densities. Moreover, with exception of cerebral glutathione (GSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, biochemical data demonstrated reversal of doxorubicin-mediated decline in cerebral and cerebellar antioxidant status indices and the increase in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity by both doses of DPDS. Also, cerebellar and cerebral lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide as well as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species levels were considerably diminished in rats administered doxorubicin and DPDS. In addition, DPDS administration abated myeloperoxidase activity, tumour necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide levels along with caspase-3 activity in doxorubicin-administered rats. Chemoprotection of doxorubicin-associated neurotoxicity by DPDS was further validated by histomorphometry and histochemical staining. Taken together, DPDS through offsetting of oxido-inflammatory stress and caspase-3 activation elicited neuroprotection in doxorubicin-treated rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatobiloba F Da-Silva
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Adedoyin R Adelowo
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Adesina A Babalola
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Cynthia N Ikeji
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Olatunde Owoeye
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Joao B T Rocha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, CCNE, Federal University of Santa Maria, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Isaac A Adedara
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Center of Rural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil.
| | - Ebenezer O Farombi
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Njoku CA, Ileola-Gold AV, Adelaja UA, Ikeji CN, Owoeye O, Adedara IA, Farombi EO. Amelioration of neurobehavioral, biochemical, and morphological alterations associated with silver nanoparticles exposure by taurine in rats. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2023; 37:e23457. [PMID: 37437208 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The adverse effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the nervous system is an emerging concern of public interest globally. Taurine, an essential amino acid required for neurogenesis in the nervous system, is well-documented to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities. Yet, there is no report in the literature on the effect of taurine on neurotoxicity related to AgNPs exposure. Here, we investigated the neurobehavioral and biochemical responses associated with coexposure to AgNPs (200 µg/kg body weight) and taurine (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) in rats. Locomotor incompetence, motor deficits, and anxiogenic-like behavior induced by AgNPs were significantly alleviated by both doses of taurine. Taurine administration enhanced exploratory behavior typified by increased track plot densities with diminished heat maps intensity in AgNPs-treated rats. Biochemical data indicated that the reduction in cerebral and cerebellar acetylcholinesterase activity, antioxidant enzyme activities, and glutathione level by AgNPs treatment were markedly upturned by both doses of taurine. The significant abatement in cerebral and cerebellar oxidative stress indices namely reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, hydrogen peroxide, and lipid peroxidation was evident in rats cotreated with AgNPs and taurine. Further, taurine administration abated nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels cum myeloperoxidase and caspase-3 activities in AgNPs-treated rats. Amelioration of AgNPs-induced neurotoxicity by taurine was confirmed by histochemical staining and histomorphometry. In conclusion, taurine via attenuation of oxido-inflammatory stress and caspase-3 activation protected against neurotoxicity induced by AgNPs in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiwueze A Njoku
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Ayomitan V Ileola-Gold
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Uthman A Adelaja
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Cynthia N Ikeji
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Olatunde Owoeye
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Isaac A Adedara
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Ebenezer O Farombi
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Brubaker L, Udell MAR. Does Pet Parenting Style predict the social and problem-solving behavior of pet dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)? Anim Cogn 2023; 26:345-356. [PMID: 36175745 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-022-01694-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The behavior and cognition of pet domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) has drawn increasing scientific attention over the last several decades. One area of focus has been the influence of lifetime variables, including the home environment and prior experiences, on the social and problem-solving behavior of dogs. While the human-dog relationship has become an important area of study, only a few studies have empirically investigated how the quality of that relationship may influence a dog's performance on behavioral or cognitive tasks. In the current study, we asked if a human caretaker's self-reported expectations and patterns of responding towards their dog (Pet Parenting Style) would predict the dog's social and problem-solving behavior. Owners who had previously been asked to complete a Pet Parenting Style survey were later invited to have their dogs participate in three behavioral tests: The Secure Base Test, a Sociability Test and the Solvable Task. Consistent with the human development literature, results indicated that Pet Parenting Styles did predict patterns of dog behavior and cognition on these tests. On average, dogs with authoritative owners (high expectations, high responsiveness) had the highest rate of secure attachment, were highly social, sensitive to social context and were more persistent and successful on the problem-solving task than dogs with authoritarian owners (high expectations and low responsiveness) and permissive owners (low expectations, low responsiveness). These findings suggest that the quality and style of individual dog-human relationships, including Pet Parenting Style, may be relevant when evaluating and interpreting outcomes of canine cognition research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Brubaker
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, 112 Withycombe Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Monique A R Udell
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, 112 Withycombe Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
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Zhong C, Wang L, Cao Y, Sun C, Huang J, Wang X, Pan S, He S, Huang K, Lu Z, Xu F, Lu Y, Wang L. A neural circuit from the dorsal CA3 to the dorsomedial hypothalamus mediates balance between risk exploration and defense. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111570. [PMID: 36323263 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
An appropriate balance between explorative and defensive behavior is essential for the survival and reproduction of prey animals in risky environments. However, the neural circuit and mechanism that allow for such a balance remains poorly understood. Here, we use a semi-naturalistic predator threat test (PTT) to observe and quantify the defense-exploration balance, especially risk exploration behavior in mice. During the PTT, the activity of the putative dorsal CA3 glutamatergic neurons (dCA3Glu) is suppressed by predatory threat and risk exploration, whereas the neurons are activated during contextual exploration. Moreover, optogenetic excitation of these neurons induces a significant increase in risk exploration. A circuit, comprising the dorsal CA3, dorsal lateral septal, and dorsomedial hypothalamic (dCA3Glu-dLSGABA-DMH) areas, may be involved. Moreover, activation of the dCA3Glu-dLSGABA-DMH circuit promotes the switch from defense to risk exploration and suppresses threat-induced increase in arousal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chongyang Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jianyu Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xufang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Suwan Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shuyu He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Kang Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhonghua Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; Center for Brain Science, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Liping Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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Pulver A, Kiive E, Kanarik M, Harro J. Association of orexin/hypocretin receptor gene (HCRTR1) with reward sensitivity, and interaction with gender. Brain Res 2020; 1746:147013. [PMID: 32652147 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Orexins/hypocretins maintain wakefulness, increase appetite and participate in the coordination of stress response. We have recently provided evidence on the role of orexins in aggression, showing the association of the HCRTR1 genotype. (rs2271933 G > A; leading to amino acid substitution Ile408Val) with aggressiveness or breach of law in four independent cohorts. Aggressive behaviour can be reward driven and hence we have examined the association of HCRTR1 rs2271933 genotype with different aspects of reward sensitivity in the birth cohort representative Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study. HCRTR1 genotype was associated with reward sensitivity in a gender dependent manner. Male HCRTR1 A/A homozygotes had higher Openness to Rewards and the overall reward sensitivity score while, in contrast, female A/A homozygotes scored lower than G-allele carriers in Openness to Rewards. In the total sample, aggressiveness correlated positively with reward sensitivity, but this was on account of Insatiability by Reward. In contrast, the HCRTR1 A/A homozygotes had a positive association of aggressiveness and Openness to Rewards. Experience of stressful life events had a small but significant increasing effect on both aspects of reward sensitivity, and correlated in an anomalous way with reward sensitivity in the HCRTR1 A/A homozygotes. Conclusively, the higher aggressiveness of HCRTR1 A/A homozygotes appears based on a qualitative difference in sensitivity to rewards, in the form that suggests their lower ability to prevent responses to challenges being converted into overt aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander Pulver
- School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Narva Road 29, Astra Building, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Evelyn Kiive
- Division of Special Education, Department of Education, University of Tartu, Näituse 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Margus Kanarik
- Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Psychology, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A Chemicum, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jaanus Harro
- School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Narva Road 29, Astra Building, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia; Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Psychology, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A Chemicum, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
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Harro J, Laas K, Eensoo D, Kurrikoff T, Sakala K, Vaht M, Parik J, Mäestu J, Veidebaum T. Orexin/hypocretin receptor gene (HCRTR1) variation is associated with aggressive behaviour. Neuropharmacology 2019; 156:107527. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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van Kampen HS. The principle of consistency and the cause and function of behaviour. Behav Processes 2018; 159:42-54. [PMID: 30562561 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
At all levels of information processing in the brain, neural and cognitive structures tend towards a state of consistency. When two or more simultaneously active cognitive structures are logically inconsistent, arousal is increased, which activates processes with the expected consequence of increasing consistency and decreasing arousal. Increased arousal is experienced as aversive, while the expected or actual decrease in arousal as a result of increased consistency is experienced as rewarding. Modes of resolution of inconsistency can be divided into purely cognitive solutions, such as changing an attitude or an associated motor plan, and behavioural solutions, such as exploration, aggression, fear, and feeding. Models and theories consistent with the principle of consistency are numerous, have a long and continuing history, and come from many different scientific fields, such as social psychology, perception, neurocognition, learning, motor control, system control, ethology, and stress. The present paper presents a brief overview of relevant information from these fields of research, while focusing mainly on the implications of the principle of consistency for the understanding of the cause and function of behaviour. Based on this overview, it is proposed that all behaviour involving cognitive processing is caused by the activation of inconsistent cognitions and functions to increase perceived consistency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik S van Kampen
- Cognitive Neurobiology and Helmholtz Institute, Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Gygax L. Wanting, liking and welfare: The role of affective states in proximate control of behaviour in vertebrates. Ethology 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Gygax
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs; Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO; Ettenhausen Switzerland
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Marinov M, Marchetti C, Dimitrov D, Ilieva M, Zehtindjiev P. Mixed haemosporidian infections are associated with higher fearfulness in Yellow Wagtail ( Motacilla flava). CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Blood parasite infections have been shown to influence behavioural traits of their avian hosts, in particular activity level and boldness. Following the hypothesis that a mixed infection by different parasite species should have higher effects than single-species infections, we analysed activity and boldness in wild-caught Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava L., 1758), a trans-Saharan migrant, during the energetically demanding spring migration. Eighty-five percent of the birds were naturally infected with Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890 or Plasmodium Marchiafava and Celli, 1885 (Sporozoa, Haemosporida) and 27% of individuals had parasites from both genera. No differences in activity were found among uninfected, single infection, and mixed infection groups. Birds with infections from both genera appeared to be more fearful when first introduced to a cage. These birds also tended to be less likely to approach a novel object compared with uninfected birds and birds infected by a single genus only.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.P. Marinov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - C. Marchetti
- Vogeltrekstation – Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO–KNAW, Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - D. Dimitrov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - M. Ilieva
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - P. Zehtindjiev
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Chattopadhyay D, MacDorman KF. Familiar faces rendered strange: Why inconsistent realism drives characters into the uncanny valley. J Vis 2016; 16:7. [PMID: 27611063 PMCID: PMC5024669 DOI: 10.1167/16.11.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Computer-modeled characters resembling real people sometimes elicit cold, eerie feelings. This effect, called the uncanny valley, has been attributed to uncertainty about whether the character is human or living or real. Uncertainty, however, neither explains why anthropomorphic characters lie in the uncanny valley nor their characteristic eeriness. We propose that realism inconsistency causes anthropomorphic characters to appear unfamiliar, despite their physical similarity to real people, owing to perceptual narrowing. We further propose that their unfamiliar, fake appearance elicits cold, eerie feelings, motivating threat avoidance. In our experiment, 365 participants categorized and rated objects, animals, and humans whose realism was manipulated along consistency-reduced and control transitions. These data were used to quantify a Bayesian model of categorical perception. In hypothesis testing, we found reducing realism consistency did not make objects appear less familiar, but only animals and humans, thereby eliciting cold, eerie feelings. Next, structural equation models elucidated the relation among realism inconsistency (measured objectively in a two-dimensional Morlet wavelet domain inspired by the primary visual cortex), realism, familiarity, eeriness, and warmth. The fact that reducing realism consistency only elicited cold, eerie feelings toward anthropomorphic characters, and only when it lessened familiarity, indicates the role of perceptual narrowing in the uncanny valley.
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Dantas LM, Delgado MM, Johnson I, Buffington CT. Food puzzles for cats: Feeding for physical and emotional wellbeing. J Feline Med Surg 2016; 18:723-32. [PMID: 27102691 PMCID: PMC11148901 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x16643753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PRACTICAL RELEVANCE Many pet cats are kept indoors for a variety of reasons (eg, safety, health, avoidance of wildlife predation) in conditions that are perhaps the least natural to them. Indoor housing has been associated with health issues, such as chronic lower urinary tract signs, and development of problem behaviors, which can cause weakening of the human-animal bond and lead to euthanasia of the cat. Environmental enrichment may mitigate the effects of these problems and one approach is to take advantage of cats' natural instinct to work for their food. AIM In this article we aim to equip veterinary professionals with the tools to assist clients in the use of food puzzles for their cats as a way to support feline physical health and emotional wellbeing. We outline different types of food puzzles, and explain how to introduce them to cats and how to troubleshoot challenges with their use. EVIDENCE BASE The effect of food puzzles on cats is a relatively new area of study, so as well as reviewing the existing empirical evidence, we provide case studies from our veterinary and behavioral practices showing health and behavioral benefits resulting from their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Ms Dantas
- Behavioral Medicine Service, University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Mikel M Delgado
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Feline Minds, Richmond, CA, USA
| | | | - Ca Tony Buffington
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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12
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Cause and function in behavioural biology: A tribute to Jerry Hogan. Behav Processes 2015; 117:1-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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