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- ArticleWu M, Seto E, Zhang J.Oncotarget. 2015 May 10;6(13):11252-63.The fast proliferation of cancer cells requires reprogramming of its energy metabolism with aerobic glycolysis as a major energy source. Sirt6, a class III histone deacetylase, has been shown to down regulate glycolysis by inhibiting the expression of several key glycolytic genes. Based on the published study on the metabolic phenotype of E2F1 -/- mice and SIRT6 -/- mice, we hypothesize that E2F1 enhances glycolysis and inhibits the expression of Sirt6. Indeed, over-expressing of E2F1, but not its DNA binding deficient mutant, significantly enhanced glucose uptake and lactate production in bladder and prostate cancer cell lines. E2F1 over-expression also suppressed Sirt6 expression and function. Moreover, E2F1 directly bound to Sirt6 promoter and suppressed Sirt6 promoter activity under both normoxic and hypoxic culture conditions. E2F1 siRNA blocked the up-regulation of E2F1 under hypoxia, increased Sirt6 expression and decreased glycolysis compared to those of scrambled siRNA transected cells. Furthermore, HDAC1 deacetylated E2F1 and diminished its transcription suppression of Sirt6 promoter. Treatment with the HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), suppressed Sirt6 promoter activity with increased binding of acetylated E2F1 to Sirt6 promoter. Mutating the E2F1 binding site on the proximal Sirt6 promoter abolished the suppression of Sirt6 transcription by TSA. These data indicate a novel oncogenic role of E2F1, i.e. enhancing glycolysis by suppressing Sirt6 transcription.
- ArticleGritti M, Würth R, Angelini M, Barbieri F, Peretti M, Pizzi E, Pattarozzi A, Carra E, Sirito R, Daga A, Curmi PM, Mazzanti M, Florio T.Oncotarget. 2014 Nov 30;5(22):11252-68.Epidemiological and preclinical studies propose that metformin, a first-line drug for type-2 diabetes, exerts direct antitumor activity. Although several clinical trials are ongoing, the molecular mechanisms of this effect are unknown. Here we show that chloride intracellular channel-1 (CLIC1) is a direct target of metformin in human glioblastoma cells. Metformin exposure induces antiproliferative effects in cancer stem cell-enriched cultures, isolated from three individual WHO grade IV human glioblastomas. These effects phenocopy metformin-mediated inhibition of a chloride current specifically dependent on CLIC1 functional activity. CLIC1 ion channel is preferentially active during the G1-S transition via transient membrane insertion. Metformin inhibition of CLIC1 activity induces G1 arrest of glioblastoma stem cells. This effect was time-dependent, and prolonged treatments caused antiproliferative effects also for low, clinically significant, metformin concentrations. Furthermore, substitution of Arg29 in the putative CLIC1 pore region impairs metformin modulation of channel activity. The lack of drugs affecting cancer stem cell viability is the main cause of therapy failure and tumor relapse. We identified CLIC1 not only as a modulator of cell cycle progression in human glioblastoma stem cells but also as the main target of metformin's antiproliferative activity, paving the way for novel and needed pharmacological approaches to glioblastoma treatment.
- ArticleMistry S, Ali T, Qasheesh M, Beg RA, Shaphe MA, Ahmad F, Kashoo FZ, Shalaby AS.PeerJ. 2021;9:e11252.BACKGROUND: Breast cancer related upper limb lymphedema (BCRL) is a common complication in post-mastectomy patients. It is known to cause upper limb disability, which subsequently may affect the grip strength and hand function. There is little evidence on the objective assessment of functional activities particularly hand function in women with BCRL. Therefore, this study objectively assesses the handgrip strength and hand functions in women with BCRL.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was conducted on a sample of women with (n = 31) and without (n = 31) BCRL. The Handgrip strength and hand functions were measured using a dynamometer and Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, respectively.
RESULTS: The results showed a significantly reduced handgrip strength in women with BCRL as compared to age-matched healthy adult women for both right and left hands (p < 0.05). Similarly, hand functions were significantly impaired in women with BCRL as compared to healthy adult women (p < 0.05). Reduction in handgrip strength and hand function in women with BCRL were clinically meaningful as indicated by moderate to large effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.61 to 0.99 and 0.54 to 3.02, respectively) in all outcomes except power handgrip strength in left hand (Cohen's d = 0.38).
CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate a significant reduction of hand grip strength and hand function in women with BCRL. Our findings suggest that objective measures of grip strength and function be included in the assessment of women with BCRL to better guide clinical decision making and patient care, which may include management of impairment associated with hand strength and function. Future studies that evaluate hand grip strength and function in a larger sample which includes a more diverse age group of women with BCRL are warranted to confirm the current findings. - ArticleKalaji A, Soderholm L.Inorg Chem. 2014 Oct 20;53(20):11252-60.Crystalline precipitates resulting from the hydrolysis and subsequent condensation of Hf(IV) aqueous acidic solutions at 60-95 °C are examined and compared. By varying the concentrations of the acid and sulfate source, a variety of complex hafnium-oxo-hydroxo-sulfate clusters are isolated and structures accessed. Four novel compounds were discovered, while the structures of two known compounds, an 18-mer and a planar hexamer, were updated. In total, the compounds described herein each contain one of four cluster architectures: 18-mer, 11-mer, nonamer, and planar hexamer. In addition, one compound contains small amounts of 19-mers together with 18-mers. As well as examining the individual structure of each complex cluster, we relate them to one another, as well as to the dense phases of HfO2, to gain an understanding of their formation and stability. Finally, the solution conditions under which each cluster forms are identified by plotting the crystallization regions of each cluster against acidity and sulfate concentration. Most clusters form under slightly acidic conditions, in decreasing size as the sulfate concentration is raised. The flat hexamer is the single exception; it appears to require more acidic solutions. The degree of hydroxo- versus oxo-bridges with changing solution conditions is assessed within the broader context of the condensates. Of specific interest is the identification of these products as they relate to the use of hydrolysis reactions in designing new materials.
- ArticleRamadhar TR, Zheng SL, Chen YS, Clardy J.Chem Commun (Camb). 2015 Jun 30;51(56):11252-5.Bromide and chloride analogs of the commonly used zinc iodide-based metal organic framework for the crystalline sponge method were synthesized and evaluated. Inclusion of (1R)-(-)-menthyl acetate into these MOFs was analysed using third-generation synchrotron radiation, and the effects and potential benefits of varying the MOF terminal ligand are discussed.
- ArticleYuan Y, He R.Heliyon. 2022 Nov;8(11):e11252.This paper solves the technical difficulties of the capillary water rising height of the construction waste improved expansive soil subgrade (CWS), analyses the capillary water rising mechanism of the construction waste improved expansive soil subgrade cushion and evaluates the improvement effect of the improved cushion by comparing different working conditions with simulation software. The analysis results show that: (1) a reasonable ratio of the improved subgrade bed can effectively improve the porosity of the cushion layer, thus effectively inhibiting capillary water rising height. (2) the practical improvement of the thickness of the cushion layer can slow the matrix suction effect of expansive soil, (3) the construction waste had a more significant influence on the particle gradation for the capillary water rise, poor grading cushion layer has a significant influence on the capillary water rise, (4) the construction waste particles in the improved graded cushion of construction waste have strong water absorption, which improves the matrix suction effect of expansive soil. (5) Through experiments and simulation tests, this paper concludes that the optimal grade subgrade bedding of construction waste expansive soil is of specific theoretical value and practical significance for developing the construction waste material transformation subgrade. Keyword: Construction Waste, the capillary water rise mechanism, well-graded CWS.
- ArticleTozetto-Mendoza TR, Mendes-Correa MC, Linhares IM, de Cássia Raymundi V, de Oliveira Paião HG, Barbosa EMG, Luna-Muschi A, Honorato L, Correa GF, da Costa AC, Costa SF, Witkin SS.Sci Rep. 2023 07 12;13(1):11252.An elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine response is associated with severe life-threatening symptoms in individuals with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID). The inflammasome is an intracellular structure responsible for generation of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. NALP3, a product of the CIAS1 gene, is the rate-limiting component for inflammasome activity. We evaluated if a CIAS1 42 base pair length polymorphism (rs74163773) was associated with severe COVID. DNA from 93 individuals with severe COVID, 38 with mild COVID, and 98 controls were analyzed for this polymorphism. The 12 unit repeat allele is associated with the highest inflammasome activity. Five alleles, corresponding to 6, 7, 9, 12 or 13 repeat units, divided into 12 genotypes were identified. The frequency of the 12 unit repeat allele was 45.3% in those with severe disease as opposed to 30.0% in those with mild disease and 26.0% in controls (p < 0.0001, severe vs. controls). In contrast, the 7 unit repeat allele frequency was 30.1% in controls as opposed to 14.0% and 12.5% in those with severe or mild disease, respectively (p ≤ 0.0017). We conclude that individuals positive for the CIAS1 12 allele may be at elevated risk for development of severe COVID due to an increased level of induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
- ArticlePrinz F, Puetter V, Holton SJ, Andres D, Stegmann CM, Kwiatkowski D, Prechtl S, Petersen K, Beckmann G, Kreft B, Mumberg D, Fernández-Montalván A.J Biol Chem. 2016 05 20;291(21):11252-67.The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is an essential safeguarding mechanism devised to ensure equal chromosome distribution in daughter cells upon mitosis. The proteins Bub3 and BubR1 are key components of the mitotic checkpoint complex, an essential part of the molecular machinery on which the SAC relies. In the present work we have performed a detailed functional and biochemical characterization of the interaction between human Bub3 and BubR1 in cells and in vitro Our results demonstrate that genetic knockdown of Bub3 abrogates the SAC, promotes apoptosis, and inhibits the proliferation of human cancer cells. We also show that the integrity of the human mitotic checkpoint complex depends on the specific recognition between BubR1 and Bub3, for which the BubR1 Gle2 binding sequence motif is essential. This 1:1 binding event is high affinity, enthalpy-driven and with slow dissociation kinetics. The affinity, kinetics, and thermodynamic parameters of the interaction are differentially modulated by small regions in the N and C termini of the Gle2 binding domain sequence, suggesting the existence of "hotspots" for this protein-protein interaction. Furthermore, we show that specific disruption of endogenous BubR1·Bub3 complexes in human cancer cells phenocopies the effects observed in gene targeting experiments. Our work enhances the current understanding of key members of the SAC and paves the road for the pursuit of novel targeted cancer therapies based on SAC inhibition.
- ArticleZilberman-Itskovich S, Catalogna M, Sasson E, Elman-Shina K, Hadanny A, Lang E, Finci S, Polak N, Fishlev G, Korin C, Shorer R, Parag Y, Sova M, Efrati S.Sci Rep. 2022 07 12;12(1):11252.Post-COVID-19 condition refers to a range of persisting physical, neurocognitive, and neuropsychological symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mechanism can be related to brain tissue pathology caused by virus invasion or indirectly by neuroinflammation and hypercoagulability. This randomized, sham-control, double blind trial evaluated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT or HBO2 therapy) on post-COVID-19 patients with ongoing symptoms for at least 3 months after confirmed infection. Seventy-three patients were randomized to receive daily 40 session of HBOT (n = 37) or sham (n = 36). Follow-up assessments were performed at baseline and 1-3 weeks after the last treatment session. Following HBOT, there was a significant group-by-time interaction in global cognitive function, attention and executive function (d = 0.495, p = 0.038; d = 0.477, p = 0.04 and d = 0.463, p = 0.05 respectively). Significant improvement was also demonstrated in the energy domain (d = 0.522, p = 0.029), sleep (d = - 0.48, p = 0.042), psychiatric symptoms (d = 0.636, p = 0.008), and pain interference (d = 0.737, p = 0.001). Clinical outcomes were associated with significant improvement in brain MRI perfusion and microstructural changes in the supramarginal gyrus, left supplementary motor area, right insula, left frontal precentral gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and superior corona radiate. These results indicate that HBOT can induce neuroplasticity and improve cognitive, psychiatric, fatigue, sleep and pain symptoms of patients suffering from post-COVID-19 condition. HBOT's beneficial effect may be attributed to increased brain perfusion and neuroplasticity in regions associated with cognitive and emotional roles.
- ArticleSolis BH, Hammes-Schiffer S.Inorg Chem. 2011 Nov 07;50(21):11252-62.The mechanistic pathways for hydrogen evolution catalyzed by cobalt complexes with supporting diglyoxime ligands are analyzed with computational methods. The cobaloximes studied are Co(dmgBF(2))(2) (dmg = dimethylglyoxime) and Co(dpgBF(2))(2) (dpg = diphenylglyoxime) in acetonitrile. The reduction potentials and pK(a) values are calculated with density functional theory in conjunction with isodesmic reactions, incorporating the possibility of axial solvent ligand loss during the reduction process. The solvent reorganization energies for electron transfer between the cobalt complex and a metal electrode and the inner-sphere reorganization energies accounting for intramolecular rearrangements and the possibility of ligand loss are also calculated. The relative reduction potentials agree quantitatively with the available experimental values. The pK(a)s and reorganization energies agree qualitatively with estimates based on experimental data. The calculations suggest that a peak measured at ca. -1.0 V vs SCE in cyclic voltammetry experiments for Co(dmgBF(2))(2) is more likely to correspond to the Co(II)H/Co(I)H reduction potential than the Co(III)H/Co(II)H reduction potential. The calculations also predict pK(a) values of Co-hydride complexes and reduction potentials for both cobaloximes that have not been determined experimentally. The results are consistent with a mechanism in which the Co(III) and Co(II) complexes have two axial solvent ligands and the Co(I) complex has a single axial ligand along the reaction pathway. Analysis of the free energy diagrams generated for six different monometallic and bimetallic hydrogen production pathways identified the most favorable pathways for Co(dmgBF(2))(2) and tosic acid. The thermodynamically favored monometallic pathway passes through a Co(III)H intermediate, and Co(II)H reacts with the acid to produce H(2). The thermodynamically favored bimetallic pathways also pass through the Co(III)H intermediate, but the pathways in which two Co(III)H or two Co(II)H complexes react to produce H(2) are not thermodynamically distinguishable with these methods. On the basis of the electrostatic work term associated with bringing the two cobalt complexes together in solution, the preferred bimetallic pathway involves the reaction of two Co(III)H complexes to produce H(2). This mechanistic insight is important for designing more effective catalysts for solar energy conversion.
- ArticleZhang X, Yan W, Xie Y.Chem Commun (Camb). 2011 Oct 28;47(40):11252-4.Nolanite Fe(2.5)V(1.5)V(5.6)O(16) nanocrystals have been successfully achieved by a facile solvothermal method for the first time. The magnetic semiconducting and semiconductor-insulator transition characters of the synthetic nolanite sample render it a promising candidate for the design of data storage devices and temperature-sensitive sensors.
- ArticlePatkar OL, Mohamed AZ, Narayanan A, Mardon K, Cowin G, Bhalla R, Stimson DHR, Kassiou M, Beecher K, Belmer A, Alvarez Cooper I, Morgan M, Hume DA, Irvine KM, Bartlett SE, Nasrallah F, Cumming P.Sci Rep. 2021 05 27;11(1):11252.While the dire cardiometabolic consequences of the hypercaloric modern 'Western' diet are well known, there is not much information on the health impact of a high sucrose diet not inducing weight gain. Here, we tested the hypothesis that rats reared with intermittent binge access to sucrose in addition to normal chow would develop an inflammatory response in brain. To test this hypothesis, we undertook serial PET/MRI scans with the TSPO ligand [18F]DPA714 in a group of (n=9) rats at baseline and again after voluntarily consuming 5% sucrose solution three days a week for three months. Compared to a control group fed with normal chow (n=9), the sucrose rats indeed showed widespread increases in the availability of cerebral binding sites for the microglial marker, despite normal weight gain compared to the control diet group. Subsequent immunofluorescence staining of the brains confirmed the PET findings, showing a widespread 20% increase in the abundance of IBA-1-positive microglia with characteristic 'semi-activated' morphology in the binge sucrose rats, which had 23% lower density of microglial endpoints and 25% lower mean process length compared to microglia in the control rats with ordinary feeding. GFAP immunofluorescence showed no difference in astroglial coverage in the sucrose rats, except for a slight reduction in hypothalamus. The binge sucrose diet-induced neuroinflammation was associated with a significant elevation of white blood cell counts. Taking these results together, we find that long-term intake of sucrose in a binge paradigm, similar in sucrose content to the contemporary Western diet, triggered a low-grade systemic and central inflammation in non-obese rats. The molecular mechanism of this phenomenon remains to be established.
- ArticleArechavala-Lopez P, Caballero-Froilán JC, Jiménez-García M, Capó X, Tejada S, Saraiva JL, Sureda A, Moranta D.Sci Rep. 2020 07 09;10(1):11252.Environmental enrichment is considered as a recommended tool to guarantee or improve the welfare of captive fish. This study demonstrates for the first time that structural environmental enrichment enhances cognition, exploratory behaviour and brain physiological functions of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Seabream was reared in groups (n = 15) during 60 days under two different treatments: enriched tanks with plant-fibre ropes (EE) or bare/non-enriched tanks (NE). Fish were then exposed to a purpose-built maze for 1 h every second day in four trials. Analysis of video recordings showed that seabream under EE conditions presented higher overall exploratory behaviour, spatial orientation and learning capability compared to seabream from NE conditions. Results from brain monoamines analyses may suggest increased recent dopaminergic activity in telencephalon, known to be involved in learning processes; and increased serotonergic activity in cerebellum, involved in the coordination of balance, movements and orientation. In addition, EE-reared fish showed increased antioxidant activity in whole brain, with no apparent oxidative damage. Structural EE seemed to induce an hormetic response on juvenile seabream, improving their welfare status during captivity. Application of this kind of physical structure might be feasible at fish farms as a passive and non-invasive tool to improve welfare of intensively cultured seabream.
- ArticleRizzuto FJ, Hua C, Chan B, Faust TB, Rawal A, Leong CF, Hook JM, Kepert CJ, D'Alessandro DM.Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2015 May 07;17(17):11252-9.Two organic polymers containing alternating electron donating triarylamine and electron accepting thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (TzTz) moieties have been synthesized and their redox states investigated. When donor and acceptor units are proximal (polymer )1, electron density is delocalized, leading to a small electrical and optical band gap; these are larger with the inclusion of an adjoining alkynyl-phenyl bridge (polymer 2), where electron density is more localized due to the rotation of the monomer units. As a result, 1 and 2 display different optical and fluorescence properties in their neutral states. Upon chemical and electrochemical redox reactions, radicals form in both 1 and 2, yielding magnetic materials that display temperature-independent paramagnetism, attributable to delocalization of radical spins along the polymeric backbones. The ability to convert between diamagnetic and paramagnetic states upon chemical oxidation and/or reduction allows for the materials to display switchable magnetism and fluorescence, imparting multifunctionality to these solid-state purely organic materials.
- ArticleSega D, Ciuffreda G, Mariotto G, Baldan B, Zamboni A, Varanini Z.Sci Rep. 2019 08 02;9(1):11252.Nanomaterials are widely used in medical and pharmaceutical fields, but their application in plant nutrition is at its infancy. Phosphorous (P) and iron (Fe) are essential mineral nutrients limiting in a wide range of conditions the yield of crops. Phosphate and Fe fertilizers to-date on the market display low efficiency (P fertilizers) and low persistence in soil (Fe fertilizers) and negatively affect the environment. In the tentative to overcome these problems, we developed a continuous industrially scalable method to produce FePO4 NPs based on the rapid mixing of salt solutions in a mixing chamber. The process, that included the addition of citrate as capping agent allowed to obtain a stable suspension of NPs over the time. The NPs were tested for their effectiveness as P and Fe sources on two hydroponically grown crop species (cucumber and maize) comparing their effects to those exerted by non-nanometric FePO4 (bulk FePO4). The results showed that FePO4 NPs improved the availability of P and Fe, if compared to the non-nano counterpart, as demonstrated by leaf SPAD indexes, fresh biomasses and P and Fe contents in tissues. The results open a new avenue in the application of nanosized material in the field of plant nutrition and fertilization.
- ArticleWahba A, Bergez E.Cureus. 2020 Oct 30;12(10):e11252.Valproic acid is commonly used to treat pediatric epilepsy. This drug is usually well-tolerated; its side effects are typically mild, with hepatotoxicity being the most widely recognized one. Bone marrow suppression is a rarely seen complication in patients with valproic acid levels more than 125 mcg/mL. Reported cases indicate an increased incidence of hematologic toxicity; however, evidence for management is limited. We report a case of bone marrow suppression induced by a high dose of valproic acid in a 10-year-old male.
- ArticleZhai T, Yan J, Shi X, Ruan J, Tong J, Liang N.Nanoscale. 2022 Aug 11;14(31):11252-11260.Chaotic cryptography as an important means for digital image encryption has become a great cryptographic project in the current information age. As a novel microcavity laser, a random laser (RL) has a natural advantage for a chaotic system, relying on its spectral randomness. Nevertheless, this encrypted image generally suffers from outline exposition when an unsuitable key from a single RL spectrum is employed. Herein, to realize reliable dual chaotic encryption, an internally integrated hybrid microcavity in random and whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) is reported. Within this coupled microcavity, the rhodamine-6G-doped inner-wall of the fiber serves as the gain medium and the optical cavities for WGM lasing; an RL mode is enabled by scattered particles and the gain medium (Rh6G). Interestingly, the smooth inner wall of the fiber with a high-quality (Q) factor and tight optical confinement make WGM lasing occur earlier than RL. What is more, a fast energy transfer process from the WGM laser to Ag nanoparticles and the resultant localized surface plasmon resonance effects from Ag NPs to RL jointly promote the output of the random laser. As a result, a free transformation from the WGM laser to RL is successfully modulated by varying the pump power alone, thus providing two initial values for dual chaos image encryption. This work provides an in-depth understanding of a WGM-random inner-coupled cavity and promotes the application of a hybrid microcavity in the field of information security.
- ArticleDe Quattro C, Pè ME, Bertolini E.Sci Rep. 2017 09 12;7(1):11252.Eukaryotic genomes are pervasively transcribed and only a small portion of the transcribed sequences belongs to protein coding genes. High-throughput sequencing technology contributed to consolidate this perspective, allowing the identification of numerous noncoding RNAs with key roles in biological processes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nt with limited phylogenetic conservation, expressed at low levels and characterized by tissue/organ specific expression profiles. Although a large set of lncRNAs has been identified, the functional roles of lncRNAs are only beginning to be recognized and the molecular mechanism of lncRNA-mediated gene regulation remains largely unexplored, particularly in plants where their annotation and characterization are still incomplete. Using public and proprietary poly-(A)+ RNA-seq data as well as a collection of full length ESTs from several organs, developmental stages and stress conditions in three Brachypodium distachyon inbred lines, we describe the identification and the main features of thousands lncRNAs. Here we provide a genome-wide characterization of lncRNAs, highlighting their intraspecies conservation and describing their expression patterns among several organs/tissues and stress conditions. This work represents a fundamental resource to deepen our knowledge on long noncoding RNAs in C3 cereals, allowing the Brachypodium community to exploit these results in future research programs.
- ArticleSotiropoulou M, Bossard F, Balnois E, Oberdisse J, Staikos G.Langmuir. 2007 Oct 23;23(22):11252-8.The formation of soluble hydrogen-bonding interpolymer complexes between poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(acrylic acid-co-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid)-graft-poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (P(AA-co-AMPSA)-g-PDMAM) at pH=2.0 was studied. A viscometric study showed that in semidilute solution a physical gel is formed due to the interconnection of the anionic P(AA-co-AMPSA) backbone of the graft copolymer, in a transient network, by means of the complexes formed between the PDMAM side chains of the graft copolymer and PAA. Dynamic and static light scattering measurements, in conjunction with small-angle neutron scattering measurements, suggest the formation of core-shell colloidal nanoparticles in dilute solution, comprised by an insoluble PAA/PDMAM core surrounded by an anionic P(AA-co-AMPSA) corona. Even if larger clusters are formed in semidilute solution, the size of the insoluble core remains practically stable. Atomic force microscopy performed under ambient conditions reveal that the particles collapse and flatten upon deposition on a substrate, with dimensions close to the ones of the dry hydrophobic core.
- ArticleGan L, Tian SJ, Wang DH, Liu W.Ecol Evol. 2024 Apr;14(4):e11252.The "pace-of-life" syndrome (POLS) framework can encompass multiple personality axes that drive important functional behaviors (e.g., foraging behavior) and that co-vary with multiple life history traits. Food hoarding is an adaptive behavior important for an animal's ability to adapt to seasonal fluctuations in food availability. However, the empirical evidence for the relationships between animal personality and hoarding behavior remains unclear, including its fitness consequences in the POLS framework. In this study, the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), a social rodent, was used as a model system to investigate how boldness or shyness is associated with food hoarding strategies during the food hoarding season and their impact on over-winter survival and reproduction at both individual and group levels. The results of this study showed that, compared with shy gerbils, bold gerbils had a lower effort foraging strategy during the food hoarding season and exhibited lower over-winter survival rates. However, bold-shy personality differences had no effect on over-winter reproduction. These findings suggest that the personality is a crucial factor influencing the foraging strategy during the food hoarding season in Mongolian gerbils. Personality may be related to energy states or the reaction to environmental changes (e.g., predation risk and food availability) in bold or shy social animals. These results reflect animal life history trade-offs between current versus future reproduction and reproduction versus self-maintenance, thereby helping Mongolian gerbils in adapting to seasonal fluctuations in their habitat.