Behavioral Traits Research Articles

Exploring critical animal-based traits as potential predictors of production diseases in dairy cattle: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This meta-analysis comprehensively evaluates the impact of production diseases on dairy cattle, examining a variety of physiological, metabolic, and behavioral traits. From an initial set of 3 349 records, a rigorous selection process resulted in 56 relevant articles, highlighting the strict criteria employed. The low inclusion rate of 1.67% underscores the dedication to studying quality and significance. Common reasons for exclusion, such as statistical methodology and the lack of a negative control group, emphasize the necessity for robust scientific investigation. The study reveals key indicators of production diseases, such as decreased milk production, weight loss, a low body condition score, digestive disorders, lameness, and respiratory distress. These findings align with existing knowledge, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of production diseases and their broad impact on dairy cattle health. Diseased animals consistently exhibit higher parameter values, supported by confidence intervals that indicate result precision. Subgroup analyses offer nuanced insights into the specific effects of diseases and interventions on different characteristics. Metritis and Mastitis significantly affect milk production, highlighting the economic implications for dairy farmers. Interventions such as improved milking techniques show promise. Similarly, interventions involving veterinary medications and controlled energy diets effectively mitigate weight loss, a low body condition score, and digestive disorders. The analysis underscores the vulnerability of dairy cattle to reproductive issues, metabolic imbalances, and increased susceptibility to infections. Interventions addressing these challenges include hormone therapy, balanced diets, and vaccination programs. Behavioral changes and feeding habits emerge as significant indicators of dairy cattle well-being. Ovarian cysts are identified as a major contributor to behavioral changes, necessitating targeted interventions. In conclusion, this meta-analysis provides valuable contributions to the field of dairy cattle health, offering specific insights into the effects of diseases and the effectiveness of interventions. These findings inform evidence-based practices for dairy stakeholders, ultimately enhancing animal welfare and promoting sustainable dairy production. However, establishing precise reference values presents challenges, warranting further investigation.

The Relationship Between Sleep Pattern Habits with Severity of Disruptive Behaviors Among Elementary School Children

Objectives: Sleep patterns significantly influence the physical, psychological, and social health of children, with irregularities correlating with behavioral issues like aggression. Studies highlight the association between disrupted sleep pattern and increased aggression in elementary school children, emphasizing the need for interventions promoting healthy sleep habits. This study aims to detect the relationship between sleep pattern habits and disruptive behaviors among children of elementary schools. Methods: A correlational study was conducted in Al-Najaf elementary schools, focusing on disruptive behaviors among 198 children. The study data were collected through a refined Arabic questionnaire and sleep habits scale, revealing severity of disruptive behaviors and personal information variables. Tools’ validity was confirmed by experts, showing high reliability (Cronbach α=0.91). Results: The study examined elementary school children diagnosed with disruptive behaviors in Al-Najaf Province, Iraq. Most participants were male (60.6%), aged 8-10 years (43.9%), and primarily in the first education grade (24.2%). Sleep patterns during weekends and holidays exceeded the normal range (47%), with disruptions reported by over half of the samples (56.1%). No significant correlation was found between disruptive behavior and personal traits, except with variable age, which had a significant correlation (P=0.003). Sleep patterns did not significantly correlate with disruptive behavior, although a weak negative correlation was found between age and education grade. Discussion: Disruptive behaviors are prevalent among elementary school children in Al-Najaf Province, albeit mildly impactful and diminishing with increasing age. According to the current result, these behaviors are not primarily linked to personal traits and show no or little significant correlation with sleep patterns.

The dopamine hypothesis for ADHD: An evaluation of evidence accumulated from human studies and animal models

Multiple lines of evidence indicate that altered dopamine signaling may be involved in neuropsychiatric disorders and common behavioral traits. Here we critically review evidence collected during the past 40-plus years supporting the role of dopamine dysfunction in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We recapitulate the basic components of dopaminergic signaling in the central nervous system, focusing on core enzymes, transporters and receptors involved in monoaminergic functions, particularly in striatal and cortical regions. We summarize key human brain imaging and genetic studies reporting associations between dopaminergic neurotransmission and behavioral traits, with an emphasis on ADHD. We also consider ADHD in the context of animal models and single gene, metabolic, and neurological disorders with established dysfunction of the dopaminergic system. Examining the evidence in this way leads us to conclude that there is evidence for the involvement of dopamine but limited evidence for a hypo-dopaminergic state per se as a key component of ADHD. We propose a path forward to increase our understanding of dopamine signaling in human behavioral traits and disorders that should particularly focus on its role in clinical subgroups, during brain development and how it interacts with other neurotransmitter systems.

Gene-environment interactions in the influence of maternal education on adolescent neurodevelopment using ABCD study.

Maternal education was strongly correlated with adolescent brain morphology, cognitive performances, and mental health. However, the molecular basis for the effects of maternal education on the structural neurodevelopment remains unknown. Here, we conducted gene-environment-wide interaction study using the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development cohort. Seven genomic loci with significant gene-environment interactions (G×E) on regional gray matter volumes were identified, with enriched biological functions related to metabolic process, inflammatory process, and synaptic plasticity. Additionally, genetic overlapping results with behavioral and disease-related phenotypes indicated shared biological mechanism between maternal education modified neurodevelopment and related behavioral traits. Finally, by decomposing the multidimensional components of maternal education, we found that socioeconomic status, rather than family environment, played a more important role in modifying the genetic effects on neurodevelopment. In summary, our study provided analytical evidence for G×E effects regarding adolescent neurodevelopment and explored potential biological mechanisms as well as social mechanisms through which maternal education could modify the genetic effects on regional brain development.

Exploring the interaction between the gut microbiota and cyclic adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A signaling pathway: a potential therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases

The interaction between the gut microbiota and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)- protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in the host's central nervous system plays a crucial role in neurological diseases and enhances communication along the gut–brain axis. The gut microbiota influences the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway through its metabolites, which activates the vagus nerve and modulates the immune and neuroendocrine systems. Conversely, alterations in the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway can affect the composition of the gut microbiota, creating a dynamic network of microbial-host interactions. This reciprocal regulation affects neurodevelopment, neurotransmitter control, and behavioral traits, thus playing a role in the modulation of neurological diseases. The coordinated activity of the gut microbiota and the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway regulates processes such as amyloid-β protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal energy metabolism, microglial activation, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter release, which collectively influence the onset and progression of neurological diseases. This study explores the complex interplay between the gut microbiota and cAMP-PKA signaling pathway, along with its implications for potential therapeutic interventions in neurological diseases. Recent pharmacological research has shown that restoring the balance between gut flora and cAMP-PKA signaling pathway may improve outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases and emotional disorders. This can be achieved through various methods such as dietary modifications, probiotic supplements, Chinese herbal extracts, combinations of Chinese herbs, and innovative dosage forms. These findings suggest that regulating the gut microbiota and cAMP-PKA signaling pathway may provide valuable evidence for developing novel therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases.

Multimodal signalling in manakins: lack of correlated evolution between acoustic, visual and behavioural traits

Sexual traits, such as visual adornments, sound‐based cues and courtship dances, are frequently displayed in combination as multimodal signals. Some hypotheses propose that different signals trade‐off with each other, potentially due to resource limitations (‘trade‐off’ or transfer hypothesis) or that these develop simultaneously to enhance communication effectiveness (‘joint evolution’ hypothesis). Alternatively, multiple cues may evolve independently to serve distinct functions or convey different information (‘multiple messages’ hypothesis). Here, we explored the interdependence between different signal modalities in manakins (Pipridae), which are known for great interspecific diversity in the degree of elaboration in courtship dance, song and plumage coloration. We also used comparative methods to explore the mode of evolution and the degree of conservatism of these signals. We found that song, plumage coloration and courtship dance evolved independently as there was no correlation between these traits. Song evolution in manakins was attracted to a single optimum and exhibited a weak phylogenetic signal in comparison with those of colour and behavioural diversity. The high support found for the speciational and κ models when analysing the multivariate estimates of trait variability suggests that these signals (especially colour and behaviour attributes) may have evolved in a punctuated manner, with large evolutionary changes at speciation events and minimal subsequent changes along the branches. Our results show that song, colour and dance diversity are each associated (or marginally associated) with different ecological factors, indicating that sexual signals in manakins might convey different information and/or respond to different selection pressures. Larger species and those with lower dispersal capacity tend to exhibit higher colour richness, which in turn differed among lek categories, being higher in species with ‘classic’ leks and lower in non‐lekking species. Overall, the present study supports the idea that correlation between signal modalities does not constitute a widespread pattern in songbirds.

Genetic Characterisation of Feeding Patterns in Lactating Holstein Cows and Their Association With Feed Efficiency Traits.

Feeding behaviour traits, such as number, duration or intake per feeder visit, have been associated with feed efficiency in dairy cattle. Those traits, however, do not fully capture cows' feeding patterns throughout the day. The goal of this study was to propose a new phenotype for characterising within-day feeding patterns and estimate its heritability and genetic correlations with dry matter intake (DMI), secreted milk energy, metabolic body weight and residual feed intake. Feeding patterns were evaluated using 4.8 million bunk visits from 1684 midlactation Holstein cows collected from 2009 to 2023 with an Insentec system. Feed efficiency traits were available from 6099 lactating Holstein cows at six research stations across the United States. Daily bunk visits were ordered, with Time 0 designated as the time of first feed delivery. Intake proportions were calculated by visit for each cow by dividing feed intake per visit by the total intake of the cow for that day. Feeding patterns were characterised by the area under the curve of cumulative feed intake proportions for each cow throughout the day. The feeding pattern phenotype per cow was defined as the average of areas under the curve across days, whereas consistency of feeding pattern was calculated as the natural logarithm of variance of daily area under the curve values. Estimates of heritability and genetic correlations were performed using Bayesian inference with an animal model, considering lactation, days in milk and cohort (trial-treatment) as fixed effects and animal as a random effect. Heritability estimates for average area under the curve and variance of daily area under the curve were 0.35 ± 0.05 and 0.16 ± 0.05, respectively. The genetic correlation between average area under the curve and secreted milk energy was -0.30 ± 0.14. Genetic correlations between average area under the curve and DMI, metabolic body weight and residual feed intake were not statistically significant. Variance of daily area under the curve was genetically correlated with DMI (0.47 ± 0.15), secreted milk energy (0.40 ± 0.17) and metabolic body weight (0.28 ± 0.13). The genetic correlation between variance of daily area under the curve and residual feed intake was not significant. Overall, we provided a reliable method to truly characterise feeding patterns in midlactation dairy cows. Feeding pattern and its consistency were heritable, indicating that a significant proportion of phenotypic variation is explained by additive genetic effects. Genetic correlation estimates indicate that cows with more consistent daily feeding patterns have lower DMI, lower secreted milk energy and lower metabolic body weight.

Wood hardness drives nest-site selection in woodpeckers of the humid Chaco

Abstract Avian excavators (woodpeckers and other species) select nest sites based on characteristics of the nest patch, nest tree, and substrate. These characteristics could increase foraging opportunities or reduce the risk of predation, but there is also a potentially important role for wood hardness in restricting nest-site selection, a role that has been little explored and is expected to vary among species according to their ability to excavate. We examined patterns of nest-site selection in 8 woodpecker species in the humid Chaco of South America, where the dominant trees have extremely hard wood. We hypothesized that (1) wood hardness is the main factor driving selection of excavation sites, and (2) interspecific variation in body size and foraging behavior (traits frequently related to excavation ability) explain interspecific variation in the wood hardness of excavated nest substrates. From 2016 to 2019 in well-preserved forests of the Argentine Chaco, we compared nesting cavities excavated in wood (cases; n = 42) vs. potential wood substrates without cavities (matched controls) and made 187 focal observations of foraging woodpeckers. Woodpeckers selected nesting substrates with softer heartwood than potential substrates, regardless of any other characteristics of the tree or nest patch. Wood hardness around nest cavities increased with body size and the prevalence of chiseling during foraging, traits that were positively correlated. Woodpeckers often excavated in Prosopis spp. (Algarrobos) but rarely in Schinopsis balansae (Quebracho), a tree with exceptionally hard internal wood, in which cavity adopters frequently nest in non-excavated cavities. Wood hardness is critical to assessing the role of woodpeckers as cavity facilitators, understanding the costs and benefits of excavation, and interpreting excavation patterns across species and forests globally.

Central place foragers, prey depletion halos, and how behavioral niche partitioning promotes consumer coexistence

Many seabirds congregate in large colonies for breeding, a time when they are central place foragers. An influential idea in seabird ecology posits that competition during breeding results in an area of reduced prey availability around colonies, a phenomenon known as Ashmole's halo, and that this limits colony size. This idea has gained empirical support, including the finding that species coexisting within a colony might be able to do so by foraging on a single prey species but at different distances. Here, we provide a comprehensive mathematical model for central place foragers exploiting a single prey in a two-dimensional environment, where the prey distribution is the result of intrinsic birth and death, movement in space, and mortality due to foraging birds (we also consider a variant tailored toward colonial social insects). Bird predation at different distances occurs according to an ideal free foraging distribution that maximizes prey delivery under flight and search costs. We fully characterize the birds' ideal free distribution and the prey distribution it generates. Our results show that prey depletion halos around breeding colonies are a robust phenomenon and that the birds' ideal free distribution is sensitive to prey movement. Furthermore, coexistence of several seabird species on a single prey easily emerges through behavioral niche partitioning whenever trait differences between species entail trade-offs between efficiently exploiting a scarce prey close to the colony and a more abundant prey far away. Such behavioral-based coexistence-inducing mechanism should generalize to other habitat and diet choice scenarios.

A guide for planning triangulation studies to investigate complex causal questions in behavioural and psychiatric research.

At the basis of many important research questions is causality - does X causally impact Y? For behavioural and psychiatric traits, answering such questions can be particularly challenging, as they are highly complex and multifactorial. 'Triangulation' refers to prospectively choosing, conducting and integrating several methods to investigate a specific causal question. If different methods, with different sources of bias, all indicate a causal effect, the finding is much less likely to be spurious. While triangulation can be a powerful approach, its interpretation differs across (sub)fields and there are no formal guidelines. Here, we aim to provide clarity and guidance around the process of triangulation for behavioural and psychiatric epidemiology, so that results of existing triangulation studies can be better interpreted, and new triangulation studies better designed. We first introduce the concept of triangulation and how it is applied in epidemiological investigations of behavioural and psychiatric traits. Next, we put forth a systematic step-by-step guide, that can be used to design a triangulation study (accompanied by a worked example). Finally, we provide important general recommendations for future studies. While the literature contains varying interpretations, triangulation generally refers to an investigation that assesses the robustness of a potential causal finding by explicitly combining different approaches. This may include multiple types of statistical methods, the same method applied in multiple samples, or multiple different measurements of the variable(s) of interest. In behavioural and psychiatric epidemiology, triangulation commonly includes prospective cohort studies, natural experiments and/or genetically informative designs (including the increasingly popular method of Mendelian randomization). The guide that we propose aids the planning and interpreting of triangulation by prompting crucial considerations. Broadly, its steps are as follows: determine your causal question, draw a directed acyclic graph, identify available resources and samples, identify suitable methodological approaches, further specify the causal question for each method, explicate the effects of potential biases and, pre-specify expected results. We illustrated the guide's use by considering the question: 'Does maternal tobacco smoking during pregnancy cause offspring depression?'. In the current era of big data, and with increasing (public) availability of large-scale datasets, triangulation will become increasingly relevant in identifying robust risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes. Our hope is that this review and guide will provide clarity and direction, as well as stimulate more researchers to apply triangulation to causal questions around behavioural and psychiatric traits.

Unravelling intermediate migration patterns in gull hybrids: insights from ring re-encounters

Hybridization is a common phenomenon in birds, particularly between closely related species, when reproductive isolation mechanisms are insufficiently developed. Hybrids differ from the parental species in genetic, morphological, and behavioural traits. However, the migration patterns of hybrids have been scarcely studied. Examining hybrid migration behaviour is essential as it may reveal their role as a “gene bridge” between species and enhance our understanding of speciation mechanisms and the genetics of migration. Most research focuses on tracking the migration of long-distance migrants, but the effect of hybridization on migration is poorly understood also in short-distance migrants. The study aimed to verify whether the migratory movements of interspecific hybrids between the Herring (Larus argentatus) and the Caspian Gull (L. cachinnans) are intermediate, as predicted by the genetic basis of migration. Migration patterns, based on distance and direction, were determined from re-encounter data of individuals ringed in Poland, for over 20 years (2002–2023). These included both allopatric (parental species) and sympatric (both parental species and hybrids) populations. The results indicated that large gull hybrids exhibit an intermediate migration patterns, similarly to other hybridizing species. Unlike many cases where intermediacy may select against hybrids, the absence of significant environmental barriers along gulls’ migration routes and their wide wintering range likely mitigates selective pressures. This finding underscores the need for further investigation into the ecological implications of hybrid migration patterns. By using bird re-encounter data, we demonstrated that it provides a sufficient basis for analysing migration patterns and detecting intermediacy, even in within-continental and short-distance migrants.

Distinct Chrna5 mutations link excessive alcohol use to types I/II vulnerability profiles and IPN GABAergic neurons

Genome wide association and animal studies have implicated genetic variations in CHRNΑ5, encoding the α5 subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α5*nAChRs), as a risk factor for developing alcohol use disorders (AUDs). To understand how α5*nAChR mutations may influence alcohol (EtOH) drinking behavior, we used a two-bottle choice procedure with intermittent access to alcohol in male and female transgenic mice expressing either the highly frequent human single nucleotide polymorphism (α5SNP/rs16969968) or a deletion of the Chrna5 gene (α5KO). AUDs-related preconsommatory traits (anxiety, sensation-seeking and impulsivity) were assessed with a battery of relevant tasks (elevated-plus maze, novel place preference and step-down inhibitory avoidance). The implication of the α5-expressing IPN GABAergic neurons in AUDs and related behavioral traits was verified using neurospecific lentiviral (LV)-induced reexpression of the α5 subunit in α5KOxGAD-Cre mice. Both α5SNP and α5KO mice showed over-consumption of EtOH, but displayed opposite vulnerability profiles consistent with Cloninger’s subtypes of human AUDs. α5SNP mice showed Type I-like characteristics, i.e., high anxiety, novelty avoidance, whereas α5KOs exhibited Type II-like features such as low anxiety and high impulsivity. LV re-expression of the α5 subunit in IPN GABAergic neurons restored the control of EtOH intake and improved the impulsive phenotype. We demonstrate that the SNP (rs16969968) or null mutation of Chrna5 result in increased volitional EtOH consumption but opposite effects on anxiety, novelty-seeking and impulsive-like behaviors that match Cloninger type I and II of AUDs, including sex-related variations. IPN GABAergic neurons expressing α5*nAChRs play a key role in limiting both EtOH drinking and motor impulsivity.

How Much Hatchery-Reared Brown Trout Move in a Large, Deep Subalpine Lake? An Acoustic Telemetry Study

Fish movement into large, deep lakes has been rarely investigated due to the complexity and extent of such ecosystems. Among the different monitoring methods available, acoustic telemetry enables the study of the spatial ecology and behavior of aquatic organisms in lentic environments. In this study, the movement of 69 hatchery-reared adult brown trout (size 43–61 cm) marked with acoustic transmitters was monitored in the large and deep subalpine Lake Lugano (Switzerland and Italy). Trout were tracked for six consecutive months by seven acoustic receivers (March–August 2022), positioned in a non-overlapping array. Trout movement was reconstructed using R packages specific for acoustic telemetry (actel and RSP), which also allowed us to translate tracking information into utilization distribution (UD) areas for each fish. The effects of different environmental variables (rainfall, water discharge of the two main tributaries of Lake Lugano, atmospheric pressure, cloud coverage, and moon phases) on trout movement were tested, but none of these variables seemed to significantly correlate with fish movement. After release, most of the tagged fish exhibited reiterative movements during the initial month, with some maintaining this behavior throughout the entire study period. This spatial behavior can be particularly evident in hatchery-reared fish due to their aggressive and bold attitude. The association of these behavioral traits, shaped by domestication, could expose hatchery-reared fish to high risks and post-release mortality in the wild. Indeed, within a few months after the release, most of the tagged fish were no longer detected by the acoustic receivers. In addition, 26% of the total tagged fish were caught by recreational or professional fishermen.

Zoogeochemical impacts of freshwater mussels on stream metabolism are mediated by their ecophysiological and behavioral traits

Zoogeochemical impacts of freshwater mussels on stream metabolism are mediated by their ecophysiological and behavioral traits

Exaptation of an evolutionary constraint enables behavioural control over the composition of secreted venom in a giant centipede.

Venoms are biochemical arsenals that have emerged in numerous animal lineages, where they have co-evolved with morphological and behavioural traits for venom production and delivery. In centipedes, venom evolution is thought to be constrained by the morphological complexity of their venom glands due to physiological limitations on the number of toxins produced by their secretory cells. Here we show that the uneven toxin expression that results from these limitations have enabled Scolopendra morsitans to regulate the composition of their secreted venom despite the lack of gross morphologically complex venom glands. We show that this control is probably achieved by a combination of this heterogenous toxin distribution with a dual mechanism of venom secretion that involves neuromuscular innervation as well as stimulation via neurotransmitters. Our results suggest that behavioural control over venom composition may be an overlooked aspect of venom biology and provide an example of how exaptation can facilitate evolutionary innovation and novelty.

Early rearing of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) with mild current enrichment modifies fish swimming behavior without altering their growth performance.

The implementation of conditions that favor optimum swimming activity (e.g., suitable flow regimes), has been associated with enhanced growth and improved welfare in some farmed fish species. Despite the importance of European seabass in aquaculture, the potential beneficial effects of rearing flow conditions have not been sufficiently explored in this species. This study investigates how the application of fast (F, 0.01-0.20 m s-1) or slow (S, <0.01 m s-1) steady flows in rearing tanks for 75-77 days affected physiological and behavioral traits in seabass fingerlings. Growth performance, external and internal morphology, and several physiological variables, including hematocrit, plasma cortisol concentration, and osmotic and ionic balance were not affected by flow conditions during rearing. Also, behavioral tests implemented in groups or isolated individuals suggest that coping styles were not affected by the two tank-rearing conditions. On the contrary, the swimming behavior assessed in tests was modified by the flow condition experienced during rearing. Mean swimming speed, peak acceleration, swimming distance, angular velocity, and meander showed some variability across different tests and time, although consistently displaying higher values in seabass reared in the F condition, suggesting increased activity and more consistent swimming patterns in that group. However, the cumulative time in proximity between individuals measured in behavioral group tests suggested that group cohesion was variable, without displaying differences between F and S groups. These findings have particularly important implications for fish welfare and may suggest plasticity in the behavioral response to rearing conditions for this species, although not affecting the assignment of the individuals to the different coping styles. SUMMARY STATEMENT: We investigated how mild current enrichment applied during early rearing in seabass modifies physiological and behavioral responses involving swimming activity, exploring the potential associations to fish welfare.

The role of human hunters and natural predators in shaping the selection of behavioural types in male wild turkeys.

The expression of behaviour can vary both among (i.e. behavioural types (BTs)) and within individuals (i.e. plasticity), and investigating causes and consequences of variation has garnered significant attention. Conversely, studies quantifying harvest-induced selection (HIS) on behavioural traits have received significantly less attention, and work investigating HIS and natural selection simultaneously is rare. We studied sources of variation in three movement traits that represented risk-taking and one trait that represented exploration in male eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). We used data from 109 males in two hunted populations located in Georgia and South Carolina, USA. We assessed how both hunters and natural predators simultaneously influenced the selection of male turkey BTs. We found significant among-individual variation in all movement traits and adjustments in risk-taking and exploration relative to whether hunting was occurring. We observed that predators selected against similar BTs across both populations, whereas hunters selected for different BTs across populations. We also demonstrated that significant HIS acts on risk-taking behaviours in both populations, which could render wild turkeys more difficult to harvest if these traits are indeed heritable.

Breed function and behaviour correlate with endocranial volume in domestic dogs.

Domestic dogs display a remarkable diversity of functions, morphologies and cognitive abilities. Using data from 1682 dogs representing 172 breeds, we tested for variation in relative endocranial volume (REV), a proxy for brain size and a basic measure of cognitive ability, in relation to breed function, phylogenetic classification, cranial shape, cooperative behaviour and temperament. Function, body size, phylogenetic clade and cranial shape correlate with REV. Toy dogs, functioning mainly as companions, have the largest endocranial volumes relative to their body size. Working dogs, bred to perform complex human-assistance skills and reportedly possessing higher cognitive abilities, have the smallest. Our results thus show that complex skills and cooperative behaviour-a hallmark of social cognition-do not predict larger REV in dogs. However, REV increases with fear and aggression, attention-seeking and separation anxiety and decreases with trainability. Significant correlations between REV and behavioural traits underscore the evolutionary plasticity of mammalian brain size under domestication and artificial selection and provide support for hypotheses linking the modulation of fear and aggression to brain size change under domestication.

Oscillometry defined small airways dysfunction as a treatable trait in asthma.

The small airways, also referred to as the lung's silent zone, are closely associated with poor symptom control and more frequent asthma exacerbations. The oscillometry technique superimposes sound or airwaves onto normal tidal breathing and provides information on resistance and reactance, that is, obstacles to airflow occurring inside and outside of the bronchi. More recently, a management paradigm based on so-called 'treatable traits' has been proposed to personalize and improve asthma care for individuals by proactively identifying and targeting modifiable pulmonary, extra-pulmonary, and behavioral traits affecting asthma control. In this review article we examine the literature on small airways dysfunction as a potential treatable trait in persistent asthma. Pointedly, we discuss whole- and intra-breath oscillometry as well as the impact of extrafine inhaled corticosteroids and systemic biologics on the peripheral airways.

Well-Being and Performance of Nursery Pigs Subjected to Different Commercial Vaccines Against Porcine Circovirus Type 2, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Lawsonia intracellularis

Background/Objectives: Vaccination is a strategy in pig farming for the control of several pathogens, but commercial vaccines may have detrimental side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of commercial vaccines on the control of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp), and Lawsonia intracellularis (L. intracellularis) and their potential side effects on welfare, behavior, acute inflammation biomarkers (C-reactive protein and haptoglobin), and the performance of piglets during the nursery phase. Methods: A total of 240 piglets, both female and castrated males, with an average weight of 6.3 ± 0.9 kg were subjected to four treatments: T1-FLEXcombo® (Ingelvac®CircoFLEX and Ingelvac®MycoFLEX) + Enterisol® Ileitis; T2-FLEXCombo® + Porcilis® Ileitis; T3-Porcilis® PCV M HYO + Porcilis® Ileitis; and T4-FLEXCombo® + 0.9% saline solution. This study measured therapeutic interventions, body condition score, behavioral changes, rectal temperature, and inflammation biomarkers post-vaccination. Results: The T3 group required more therapeutic interventions and exhibited a 23.1% higher incidence of thin body condition (p &lt; 0.05) and 10 times more animals with depressed behavior than T1 (p &lt; 0.05). The piglets vaccinated for L. intracellularis (T2 and T3) had rectal temperatures exceeding 39.7 °C post-vaccination, significantly higher than in T1 (p &lt; 0.05). The T1 animals showed five times more positive behavior traits 24 h after vaccination (p &lt; 0.05). Touch response was 29% lower in the T2 and T3 groups, and the lying down behavior was higher in these groups compared to T1. Additionally, 41.7% of the T3 animals exhibited a sitting posture 48 h after vaccination. Higher serum C-reactive protein and haptoglobin levels were observed in T3 (p &lt; 0.05) at 24 and 48 h post-vaccination. Feed intake was higher in T1 compared to T3 between 29 and 35 days of age. It is important to note that this study did not measure immune responses to the pathogens and did not include challenge tests, and therefore, it does not assess which vaccine is superior in pathogen control. Conclusions: The vaccine programs resulted in similar zootechnical performance. However, T1, T2, and T4 showed better effects on piglet welfare and behavior compared to T3.