Search Results (31)

Researchers are increasingly engaged in studies to determine and correct negative welfare consequences of animal husbandry and behaviour modification procedures, not least in response to industries’ growing need to maintain their social licence through demonstrable welfare standards that address public expectations. To ensure that welfare recommendations are scientifically credible, the studies must be rigorously designed and conducted, and the data produced must be interpreted with full regard to conceptual, methodological, and experimental design limitations. This commentary provides guidance on these matters. In addition to, and complementary with, the ARRIVE guidelines that deal with animal studies in general, there is a need for additional specific advice on the design of studies directed at procedures that alter behaviour, whether through training, handling, or restraint. The COMPASS Guidelines offer clear direction for conducting welfare-focused behaviour modification research. They stand for the following: Controls and Calibration, emphasising rigorous design, baseline measures, equipment calibration, and replicability; Objectivity and Open data, ensuring transparency, validated tools, and data accessibility; Motivation and Methods, with a focus on learning theory, behavioural science, and evidence-based application of positive reinforcers and aversive stimuli; Precautions and Protocols, embedding the precautionary principle, minimising welfare harms, listing stop criteria, and using real-time monitoring; Animal-centred Assessment, with multimodal welfare evaluation, using physiological, behavioural, functional, and objective indicators; Study ethics and Standards, noting the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement), welfare endpoints, long-term effects, industry independence, and risk–benefit analysis; and Species-relevance and Scientific rigour, facilitating cross-species applicability with real-world relevance and robust methodology. To describe these guidelines, the current article is organised into seven major sections that outline detailed, point-by-point considerations for ethical and scientifically rigorous design. It concludes with a call for continuous improvement and collaboration. A major purpose is to assist animal ethics committees when considering the design of experiments. It is also anticipated that these Guidelines will assist reviewers and editorial teams in triaging manuscripts that report studies in this context. Full article

Methamphetamine (METH) is an extremely addictive drug which continues to cause significant harm to individuals and communities. In the present study we trained male rats to self-administer METH for 20 days, followed by 9 days of foot shock exposure. All rats escalated their METH intake during the first 20 days. The rats that continued to self-administer METH in the presence of aversive stimuli were termed shock-resistant (SR), while those that reduced their intake were shock-sensitive (SS). RNA sequencing showed numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, dorsal striatum, and midbrain. Ingenuity pathway analysis linked DEGs to addiction-related mechanisms. We identified shared genes with similar expression patterns across four brain regions (SR: Fos and Ahsp; SS: Tet1, Cym, and Tmem30c). The identified genes play key roles in addiction-related brain functions, such as neuronal activity, stress response, and epigenetic regulation, and their importance in METH addiction is highlighted. These genes represent promising targets for developing new treatments aimed at reversing neuroadaptations caused by METH use. Full article

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy and lactation remains a significant global issue. Preventive policies have proven insufficient, and consumption rates remain high, mainly due to a lack of awareness, the misconception that only high alcohol intake harms the fetus, inconsistent medical advice, and pre-existing alcohol use disorders. Alcohol consumption is linked to child harm during critical stages of development. Using a recently published model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) developed by our group, we analyzed brain changes in mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy and lactation and the behavioral consequences at the emotional-cognitive level and in caring for their offspring. We also considered the previous drinking history, using the paradigm of voluntary pre-gestational alcohol consumption. In addition, from gestational day 7 (GD7) until the day of sacrifice, mothers received a 3 g/kg dose of alcohol every 12 h via gavage. Our findings revealed deficiencies in maternal care, anxiety and depressive-like behavior, and aversive stimulus learning disturbances. These were associated with changes in gene targets linked to stress-axis regulation, reward circuits, and neuroplasticity. Additionally, we observed increased microgliosis and astrogliosis, indicating neuroinflammation in brain regions involved in cognition and emotional states’ regulation. Full article

The behavioral immune system (BIS) refers to a set of evolved psychological mechanisms designed to detect cues of potential pathogen threat and trigger self-protective, avoidant behaviors. However, like all adaptations, the BIS carries potential costs alongside its benefits. This study aimed to examine the impact of BIS-related processes on mental health outcomes—including depression, anxiety, stress, and obsessive–compulsive symptomatology—during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected online at two time points: the onset of the pandemic (May 2020; n = 990; 86% women) and at the end of its first year (November/December 2020; a subsample of the original participants, n = 182). Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, entering socioeconomic variables and general quality of life in the first block, followed by BIS-related variables (germ aversion and perceived infectability) in the second block. Results showed that socioeconomic status and general quality of life were significant predictors of mental health difficulties at both time points, consistent with prior findings on the harmful effects of environmental and social stressors. Importantly, BIS variables also emerged as significant and independent predictors of mental health outcomes—including the development of obsessive–compulsive symptoms—highlighting the potential psychological costs of pathogen-avoidant motivations governed by the BIS. Full article

Dog training is an unregulated profession in Canada without licensing or standardized practices, yet professional dog trainers greatly influence how guardians interact with their dogs and, by extension, dog welfare. We conducted an online survey to characterize the demographics, qualifications, services, methods, and views of dog trainers in Canada. Of the 706 valid respondents, most (65%) had completed at least one structured dog training program, while 33% were self-educated. Respondents held qualifications from 138 training programs and 39 exam-based certifications that differed in their curriculum, duration, and scope. We identified over 80 different themes or terms that trainers use to describe their practices, with the most frequent relating to reward-based methods. Most respondents also indicated that they would be unlikely to use aversive collars. These findings suggest that reward-based methods are likely the most prevalent in Canada. Two-thirds (62%) supported some regulation of dog training. The quantity and variety of training programs, certifications, and terminology utilized by dog trainers could present challenges for dog guardians in selecting trainers, and/or result in the use of harmful training methods. These findings can inform further development of best practices, educational programs, and advocacy to advance the use of humane training methods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Caenorhabditis elegans rely on sensory perception of environmental cues for survival in their native soil and compost habitats. These cues provide information about nutrient availability, mating partners, or predatory and hazardous beacons. In C. elegans, the two bilaterally-symmetric head sensory neurons termed ASH are the main detectors of aversive nociceptive signals. Through their downstream connections in the nervous system, ASH activation causes the animal to initiate backward locomotion to escape and avoid the harmful stimulus. Modulation of avoidance behavior allows for situation-appropriate sensitivity and response to stimuli. We previously reported a role for gap junctions in the transport of regulatory cGMP to the ASHs where it functions to dampen avoidance responses. Methods: Here, we used genetic mutants and a combination of cell-selective rescue and knockdown experiments to identify gap junction proteins (innexins) involved in modulating ASH-mediated nociceptive behavioral responses. Results: We have characterized six additional C. elegans innexins that have overlapping and distinct roles within this regulatory network: INX-7, INX-15, INX-16, INX-17, UNC-7, and UNC-9. Conclusions: This work expands our understanding of the extent to which ASH sensitivity can be tuned in a non-cell-autonomous manner. Full article

Using English prison inspectorate reports, the article presents an Ervine Goffman-inspired sociological discourse analysis of official political accounts about the living conditions of incarcerated children held in London’s Feltham prison. Through a close reading of inspection reports, we develop a critical window into their lived experiences in an exceptionally harmful UK prison regime. The construction of this prison estate conjures its dilapidation, unhygienic conditions, and endless social danger. The stigmatizing construction of the child prisoner intimates a pervasive culture of violence and bullying, resulting in their aversion to purposive activities. While, at first blush, prison inspectorate reporting is based on the policy of efficiency to ensure a safe and rehabilitative prison experience for youth, it is argued that the nature of the reporting of incarceration obviates a critique of the wider political fabric that custodial interventions will invariably reproduce. The Inspectorate operates within the state’s dominant class-stratified political ideology. The adoption of a generic labeling discourse in the reports minimizes the communication of harms inflicted on children by criminal ‘justice’ that can only worsen their wellbeing and reproduce the harmful intensity of their pre-existing marginality. Full article

Aversive geofencing devices (AGDs) or animal-borne satellite-linked shock collars might become a useful tool to mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC). AGDs have the potential to condition problem elephants to avoid human-dominated landscapes by associating mild electric shocks with preceding audio warnings given as they approach virtual boundaries. We assessed the opinions of different stakeholders (experts, farmers, and others who have and have not experienced HEC; n = 611) on the potential use of AGDs on Asian elephants. Most respondents expressed positive opinions on the potential effectiveness of AGDs in managing elephant movement (62.2%). About 62.8% respondents also provided positive responses for the acceptability of AGDs if pilot studies with captive elephants have been successful in managing their movements. Some respondents perceived AGDs to be unacceptable because they are unethical or harmful and would be unsuccessful given wild elephants may respond differently to AGDs than captive elephants. Respondents identified acceptability, support and awareness of stakeholders, safety and wellbeing of elephants, logistical difficulties, durability and reliable functionality of AGDs, and uncertainties in elephants’ responses to AGDs as potential challenges for implementing AGDs. These issues need attention when developing AGDs to increase support from stakeholders and to effectively reduce HEC incidents in the future. Full article

(1) Locusts are important agricultural pests. Identifying harmful substances and avoiding them is important for locusts’ survival; their abilities to do so remain to be clarified. (2) We examined the electrophysiological (electroantennogram (EAG) and single sensillum recording (SSR)) and behavioral responses (preference behavior in a T-maze) of locusts to 18 different compounds; (3) Of these 18 compounds, 9 elicited strong EAG responses, and 3 elicited SSR responses of neurons expressing locust odorant receptor 3 (LmigOR3). The 11 chemicals that elicited stronger EAG or SSR responses were selected for evaluation of the behavioral responses of locusts. Only 2-heptanone induced significant attraction responses in locusts at the tested concentration. RNA interference (RNAi) of LmigOR3 and SSR experiments revealed that LmigOR3 could detect 2-heptanone and 3-octanone. However, in behavioral experiments, RNAi of LmigOR3 did not alter 2-heptanone-induced attraction but increased attraction by 3-octanone. (4) Our results suggest that the broadly tuned receptor expressed in a heterologous expression system exhibits a narrow electrophysiological response spectrum, and the aversive response of locusts to 3-octanone, an odorant from fungal pathogens, natural enemies, and non-host plants, is mediated by LmigOR3. These findings enhance our understanding of the complex olfactory recognition mechanism in insects. Full article

Food neophobia is an aversion to eating or a reluctance to try unfamiliar or new foods. From an evolutionary perspective, this behaviour may minimise the risk of consuming foods that are harmful to health. However, such aversion causes food monotony, which may result in nutritional deficiencies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of feeding problems among Polish children aged 2–7 years using the Montreal Children’s Hospital Feeding Scale and to investigate the correlation between age, gender, mode of feeding in infancy, including complementary feeding, and the prevalence of feeding difficulties in the study group of children. Material and method: The study group consisted of 585 children: 299 boys (51.11%) and 286 girls (48.89%). The study was conducted using a questionnaire-based method, with an indirect survey technique using a web-based form (CAWI). The research tool used was the Montreal Children’s Hospital-Pediatric Feeding Program. Results: Groups with the lowest risk feeding problems, risk 0, comprised 445 children (76.06%); group 1, middle difficulties, 59 children (10.08%); group 2, moderate difficulties, 40 children (6.84%); and group 3, most difficulties, 40 children (7.01%). The mean MCH-FS score for the entire study group was calculated and was 37.29 points ± 12.02; for 2 year olds, 35.69 points; for 3 year olds, 37.41 points; for 4 year olds, 38.31 points; for 5 year olds, 38.46 points; for 6 year olds, 37.95 points; and for 7 year olds, 36.06 points. The mean value of the MCH-FS scale for girls was 37.44 points, and for boys, 37.32 points. None of the above parameters correlated with the risk of feeding problems, including age, except with a non-significative tendency to be higher in the youngest age. Conclusion: Breast milk feeding and the time of complementary feeding (CF) in the study group did not influence the risk of feeding problems. Using the full BLW method during CF can protect the child against the occurrence of feeding problems such a food selectivity or picky eating in the future. In our study, children with difficulties during CF, mainly the vomiting reflex, were more likely to develop feeding problems such as food neophobia. Based on our study, we did not observe a correlation between age, gender, and the occurrence of feeding problems, and there was only a non-significant tendency to be higher in the youngest age. However, further research needs to be undertaken to assess how such behaviour affects subsequent feeding difficulties. Full article

For decades, the Barker hypothesis and thrifty phenotype hypothesis have driven researchers to explore the development of metabolic syndrome through fetal programming. In this short review, we provide peer-reviewed support for the fetal programming of neural genetic activity and behavior in multiple neural regions: the prefrontal cortex, the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, the cerebellum, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. We also introduce ionizing radiation as a purported indirect driver of phenotypical changes. The predisposition of brain and behavioral phenotypes after gestational exposure to stressors can lead to aversive and harmful outcomes, rather than protective adaptations. Full article

Background: This study is a preliminary study on an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) program that mitigates destructive experiential avoidance (DEA) behaviors, including self-harm behavior and addiction; Methods: Twenty participants aged 15–25 years who had confirmed DEA behavior within the last month participated in a total of six sessions of ACT. Demographic characteristics, history of psychiatric illness, and TYPES and patterns of DEA behavior were confirmed in the baseline survey. The severity of clinical symptoms, frequency of DEA behavior and impulsivity, characteristics of experiential avoidance (EA) behavior, depression, and quality of life (QOL) were measured before and after the program for comparative statistical tests using the intention-to-treat method. Furthermore, the severity of clinical symptoms was evaluated after each program, along with the frequency of DEA behavior and trends in impulsivity, which were investigated based on the behavior log; Results: After the ACT program, both the frequency of DEA behavior and impulsivity and the severity of clinical symptoms, depression, and anxiety decreased significantly. Furthermore, among the EA characteristics, pain aversion, distraction and inhibition, and delayed behavior significantly improved. Moreover, the overall QOL, psychological and social relationships, and QOL regarding the environment also improved; Conclusions: The results of this feasibility study demonstrate the potential of the ACT program as an effective intervention in DEA behavior. The results of this study may be used as preliminary data for future large-scale randomized studies. Full article

Oxaliplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. Despite its many beneficial aspects in fighting many malignancies, it shares an aversive effect of neuropathy. Many substances have been used to limit this oxaliplatin-driven neuropathy in patients. This study evaluates the neuroprotective role of a grape pomace extract (GPE) into an oxaliplatin induced neuropathy in rats. For this reason, following the delivery of the substance into the animals prior to or simultaneously with oxaliplatin, their performance was evaluated by behavioral tests. Blood tests were also performed for the antioxidant activity of the extract, along with a histological and pathological evaluation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells as the major components of the neuropathy. All behavioral tests were corrected following the use of the grape pomace. Oxidative stressors were also limited with the use of the extract. Additionally, the morphometrical analysis of the DRG cells and their immunohistochemical phenotype revealed the fidelity of the animal model and the changes into the parvalbumin and GFAP concentration indicative of the neuroprotective role of the pomace. In conclusion, the grape pomace extract with its antioxidant properties alleviates the harmful effects of the oxaliplatin induced chronic neuropathy in rats. Full article

The use and sale of smokeless tobacco (SLT) is prohibited in Uganda under the Tobacco Control Act (TCA), 2015. Nonetheless, SLT products remain available, and there are limited and inconsistent data on SLT users. Additionally, the perceptions of tobacco control stakeholders on SLT are unknown, making it difficult to determine barriers to enforcing the ban. This study examined perceptions of tobacco control stakeholders regarding SLT in Uganda. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders who were purposively selected from ministries, semi-autonomous government agencies and Civil Society Organizations. Interviews explored knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of SLT appeal, and user demographics. Data were analysed using Nvivo V.12 software. Participants demonstrated a general lack of awareness of SLT product types and the extent of their use. They believed SLT use was increasing among females and minors and was as harmful to health and the economy as smoking. SLT products were thought to be cheaper than cigarettes and to appeal to minors. Discreet use was thought to help users overcome the cultural aversion towards tobacco use among women and youth in Uganda. There is an urgent need to strengthen the implementation of the SLT ban whilst also increasing efforts to reduce tobacco smoking. Full article

In the circumstance that unexpected events lead to the information asymmetry of sales costs, supplier risk aversion and stochastic price, this paper discusses the internal law of using an emergency quantity discount contract to coordinate the supply chain. First, the Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) model of supplier risk aversion under the condition of information symmetry is constructed. In addition, the model is extended to the game model of the CVaR of supplier risk aversion under the condition of the asymmetric information of sales costs and solved. After that, the simulation test is performed. The results show that, firstly, under the condition of random price, the supplier risk aversion leads to the phenomenon of bifurcation and mutation in each decision variable of the supply chain system. Secondly, retailers can obtain excess profits by concealing private information, but this harms the interests of suppliers and the entire supply chain. Thirdly, suppliers with different risk attitudes should have different strategies concerning asymmetry in sales cost information. Fourthly, the more asymmetric the information for the sales costs, the more unstable the system. The conclusion is that the phenomenon of bifurcation mutation is the result of the coupling effect of price randomness and supplier risk aversion. The supply chain cannot coordinate in the bifurcation mutation region, but can coordinate outside of it. Hiding private information benefits those who own it, but harms the system as a whole. Full article