scholarly journals Interactions between social groups of colobus monkeys (Colobus vellerosus) explain similarities in their gut microbiomes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Wikberg ◽  
Diana Christie ◽  
Pascale Sicotte ◽  
Nelson Ting
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Colobus Monkeys ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Gut Microbe ◽  
Social Group Identity ◽  
Observation Period

AbstractThe gut microbiome is structured by social groups in a variety of host taxa. Whether this pattern is driven by relatedness, similar diets, or shared social environments is under debate because few studies have had access to the data necessary to disentangle these factors in wild populations. We investigated whether diet, relatedness, or the 1-meter proximity network best explains differences in the gut microbiome among 45 female colobus monkeys in 8 social groups residing at Boabeng-Fiema, Ghana. We combined demographic and behavioural data collected May-August 2007 and October 2008-April 2009 with 16S rRNA sequencing of faecal samples collected during the latter part of each observation period. Social group identity explained a large percentage of the variation in gut microbiome beta-diversity. When comparing the predictive power of dietary dissimilarity, relatedness, and connectedness in the 1-meter proximity network, the models with social connectedness received the strongest support, even in our analyses that excluded within-group dyads. This novel finding indicates that microbes may be transmitted during intergroup encounters, which could occur either indirectly via shared environments or directly via social contact. Lastly, some of the gut microbial taxa that appear to be transmitted via 1-meter proximity are associated with digestion of plant material, but further research is needed to investigate whether this type of gut microbe transmission yields health benefits, which could provide an incentive for the formation and maintenance of social bonds within and between social groups.

scholarly journals Social connectedness and political behavior

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 205316801771917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Lyons Reilly
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Political Behavior ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Socially Isolated

One of the focal points of social networks research has been the process by which individuals utilize information and cues from their social networks and communities to form political attitudes and make decisions about how and when to participate in politics. Not all individuals, however, have large social networks or are strongly connected to their local social environments. Furthermore, despite concerns about rising social isolation in American society, the role that relatively socially disconnected individuals play in politics is not well understood. Using a nationally representative data set with information about communities, social networks, and individual-level variables, this paper examines social connectedness and political behavior. Those who are more socially isolated, it is found, are neither more conservative nor liberal on any particular political issues, but clearly participate in politics less than individuals who are well connected to those around them. Finally, while individual political ideology is not correlated with isolation, the contextual influence of the local environment on individual preferences is correlated with social connectedness. When compared with well connected citizens, individuals who are more isolated are less likely to have their vote choices influenced by those around them. Individual social connectedness conditions the effect of contextual social influence.

scholarly journals Social behavior of musk deer during the mating season potentially influences the diversity of their gut microbiome

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10860
Author(s):  
Jianmei Li ◽  
Wei Luo ◽  
Yudong Zhu ◽  
Qinlong Dai ◽  
Guoqi Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Musk Deer ◽  
Mating Season ◽  
Large Cage ◽  
Alpha And Beta Diversity ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship

An increasing body of research has revealed that social behavior shapes the animal gut microbiome community and leads to the similarity among the same social group. However, some additional factors (e.g., diet and habitat within each social group) may also contribute to this similarity within the social group and dissimilarity between social groups. Here, we investigated the potential correlation between social behavior and the gut microbiome community in 179 musk deer from four breeding regions in the Maerkang Captive Center, Sichuan. The dominant gut microbiome phyla in the musk deer in this study were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. We found significant effects on the alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiome due to the breeding regions. The similarity within breeding regions was higher than that between the breeding regions. Due to their solitary lifestyle, captive musk deer are raised in single cages with no direct social contact most of the time. Deer in all of the breeding regions have the same diet and similar living conditions. However, during each mating season from November to January, in each region, one adult male and about six adult females will be put together into a large cage. Social behavior happens during cohabitation, including mating behavior, grooming within the same sex or between different sexes, and other social contact. Therefore, we speculated that high similarity within the breeding region might be associated with the social behavior during the mating season. This was a simple and straightforward example of the relationship between animal social behavior and the gut microbiome.

scholarly journals A Relational View of Psychological Empowerment and Sense of Community in Academic Contexts: A Preliminary Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Ramos-Vidal
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exchange Networks ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Network Analyses

Scholars need to pay attention to understand the factors that shape the interactions between individuals and social groups. Constructs like Psychological Sense of Community (PSoC) and Psychological Empowerment (PE) are powerful constructs used to evaluate the antecedents and the consequences of individual attachment to social settings. In parallel, recent advances in network analysis show that the position occupied within whole networks and ego-centric networks are relational factors that affect the subjective perception of membership to social groups. Studies that are conducted in organizational and community settings show strong associations between PSoC and PE. However, these connections have rarely been evaluated within natural settings such as the classroom context. On the other hand, although the theoretic basis of PSoC and PE claims that both processes are formed in a relational way, there are few studies that empirically evaluate the effects of social connectedness on the emergence of PSoC—referred to the classroom—and PE referred to academic-task development. The aim of this research is to determine the effects that the position occupied in formal and informal exchange networks induce on PSoC and PE dimensions. Sixty-four students enrolled in a master degree program (women = 68.8%, Mean age = 26.09, SD = 3.88) participated in this cross-sectional study. Multivariate analyses and network analyses were performed to test the hypotheses under study. The main research finding is that PSoC and PE are synergistic constructs that mutually shape to each other. In relational terms, by sending several nominations in informal networks, it is possible to generate notable impacts on some PSoC dimensions, while receipt of a wide number of nominations in formal contact networks is associated with high levels of PE. In addition, individuals who present high levels of PE are located in the core of formal exchange networks. These results are discussed in order to design actions to increase PSoC and PE in postgraduate academic settings.

scholarly journals DOP02 The dose-dependent effect of enteral nutrition on faecal microbial metabolites of healthy volunteers

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S041-S042
Author(s):  
V Svolos ◽  
K Gkikas ◽  
V Rizou ◽  
E Christina ◽  
P Kapranos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enteral Nutrition ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Hydrogen Sulphide ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Microbial Metabolites ◽  
Dependent Effect ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Dose Dependent Effect ◽  
Faecal Ph

Abstract Background Treatment with exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) offers a nutritional therapy paradigm in Crohn’s disease, with the extensive modulation of gut microbiome being its proposed mechanism of action (1). Recent studies propose variable clinical efficacy for 85% EN (Cheat EN/CEN), 50% EN (Partial EN/PEN) and 20% EN (maintenance EN/MEN), and a dose-dependent effect of EN use in CD (2–5). Therefore, this study aims to investigate the dose-dependent effect of 100%, 85%, 50%, and 20% EN on faecal microbial metabolites; and to investigate if this effect can be used as a compliance marker for EEN. Methods Healthy adults followed EEN, CEN, PEN or MEN diet for 7 days. Fresh faecal samples were collected before and after each dietary intervention Dietary assessment was performed throughout the intervention using estimated weight food diaries. Faecal pH, water content, Bristol Stool Chart Score, short-chain fatty acids and hydrogen sulphide were measured. Results A total of 122 faecal samples were collected from 61 subjects. The Mean(SEM) EN intake for the four groups was EEN: 100(0), CEN: 85.6(0.5), PEN: 50.1(0.4), MEN: 19.9(0.2) % of total energy intake. The baseline levels of all faecal sample measures were no different between the four groups. Faecal water content, propionic acid and Bristol Stool Chart Score significantly decreased only during EEN (all p≤0.03). Faecal pH significantly increased during EEN, CEN and PEN (all p < 0.001), but not during MEN (p = 0.728). Faecal pH post-intervention was highest for EEN, followed by CEN and PEN [Mean(SEM), EEN: 8.2(0.1); CEN: 7.8(0.2); PEN: 7.3(0.1), all pairwise p ≤ 0.002]. The faecal concentration of hydrogen sulphide, acetic and butyric acid significantly decreased following both EEN and CEN groups (all p ≤ 0.009). The concentration of acetic acid post-EEN was significantly lower than the concentration post CEN [Mean(SEM), EEN: 173(10); CEN: 261(24) μmol/g, p = 0.001]. Hydrogen sulphide and butyric acid concentrations post EEN and post CEN were unchanged (p = 0.337, p = 0.141). Conclusion EEN extensively modulates faecal microbial metabolites and CEN induces similar effects. PEN induces variable effects and further analysis should investigate if variation in responses reflects differences in the non-EN food intake of the participants (50%). MEN had no effect on faecal microbial metabolites. Further analysis including high-throughput deep sequencing techniques will provide additional information about the dose-dependent effect of EN regimen on gut microbiome composition. References 1. Quince et al., Am J Gastroenterol, 110:1718–1729. 2. Logan et al., Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2019;50:664–674. 3. Gupta et al., IBD, 2013;19:1374–1378. 4. Duncan et al., BMC Gastroenterol, 2014;14:50. 5. Lee et al., IBD, 2015;21:1786–1793.

scholarly journals Gut microbiome analysis as a tool towards targeted non-invasive biomarkers for early hepatocellular carcinoma

Gut ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1014-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhigang Ren ◽  
Ang Li ◽  
Jianwen Jiang ◽  
Lin Zhou ◽  
Zujiang Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Central China ◽  
Advanced Hcc ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Early Hcc

ObjectiveTo characterise gut microbiome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and evaluate the potential of microbiome as non-invasive biomarkers for HCC.DesignWe collected 486 faecal samples from East China, Central China and Northwest China prospectively and finally 419 samples completed Miseq sequencing. We characterised gut microbiome, identified microbial markers and constructed HCC classifier in 75 early HCC, 40 cirrhosis and 75 healthy controls. We validated the results in 56 controls, 30 early HCC and 45 advanced HCC. We further verified diagnosis potential in 18 HCC from Xinjiang and 80 HCC from Zhengzhou.ResultsFaecal microbial diversity was increased from cirrhosis to early HCC with cirrhosis. Phylum Actinobacteria was increased in early HCC versus cirrhosis. Correspondingly, 13 genera including Gemmiger and Parabacteroides were enriched in early HCC versus cirrhosis. Butyrate-producing genera were decreased, while genera producing-lipopolysaccharide were increased in early HCC versus controls. The optimal 30 microbial markers were identified through a fivefold cross-validation on a random forest model and achieved an area under the curve of 80.64% between 75 early HCC and 105 non-HCC samples. Notably, gut microbial markers validated strong diagnosis potential for early HCC and even advanced HCC. Importantly, microbial markers successfully achieved a cross-region validation of HCC from Northwest China and Central China.ConclusionsThis study is the first to characterise gut microbiome in patients with HCC and to report the successful diagnosis model establishment and cross-region validation of microbial markers for HCC. Gut microbiota-targeted biomarkers represent potential non-invasive tools for early diagnosis of HCC.

scholarly journals Faecal microbiota transplantation from metabolically compromised human donors accelerates osteoarthritis in mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 646-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
ZeYu Huang ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
BoLei Li ◽  
Benhua Zeng ◽  
Ching-Heng Chou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Joint Damage ◽  
The Other ◽  
Gut Permeability ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Germ Free ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Inflammatory Protein ◽  
Faecal Samples

ObjectivesEmerging evidence suggests that the microbiome plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). We aimed to test the two-hit model of OA pathogenesis and potentiation in which one ‘hit’ is provided by an adverse gut microbiome that activates innate immunity; the other ‘hit’ is underlying joint damage.MethodsMedical history, faecal and blood samples were collected from human healthy controls (OA-METS-, n=4), knee OA without metabolic syndrome (OA+METS-, n=7) and knee OA with metabolic syndrome (OA+METS+, n=9). Each group of human faecal samples, whose microbial composition was identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, was pooled and transplanted into germ-free mice 2 weeks prior to meniscal/ligamentous injury (MLI) (n≥6 per group). Eight weeks after MLI, mice were evaluated for histological OA severity and synovitis, systemic inflammation and gut permeability.ResultsHistological OA severity following MLI was minimal in germ-free mice. Compared with the other groups, transplantation with the OA+METS+ microbiome was associated with higher mean systemic concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α), higher gut permeability and worse OA severity. A greater abundance of Fusobacterium and Faecalibaterium and lesser abundance of Ruminococcaceae in transplanted mice were consistently correlated with OA severity and systemic biomarkers concentrations.ConclusionThe study clearly establishes a direct gut microbiome-OA connection that sets the stage for a new means of exploring OA pathogenesis and potentially new OA therapeutics. Alterations of Fusobacterium, Faecalibaterium and Ruminococcaceae suggest a role of these particular microbes in exacerbating OA.

scholarly journals Interactions between social groups of colobus monkeys (Colobus vellerosus) explain similarities in their gut microbiomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 ◽  
pp. 17-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva C. Wikberg ◽  
Diana Christie ◽  
Pascale Sicotte ◽  
Nelson Ting
Keyword(s):  
Social Groups ◽  
Colobus Vellerosus ◽  
Colobus Monkeys

scholarly journals Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acid Concentrations Increase in Newly Paired Male Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lifeng Zhu ◽  
Mallory J. Suhr Van Haute ◽  
Haley R. Hassenstab ◽  
Caroline Smith ◽  
Devin J. Rose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acid ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Common Marmoset ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Chain Fatty Acid ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
Chain Fatty Acids

ABSTRACT The role by which the gut microbiome influences host health (e.g., energy equilibrium and immune system) may be partly mediated by short-chain fatty acids, which are bacterial fermentation products from the dietary fibers. However, little is known about longitudinal changes in gut microbiome metabolites during cohabitation alongside social contact. In common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), the gut microbiome community is influenced by social contact, as newly paired males and females develop convergent microbial profiles. Here, we monitored the dynamics of short-chain fatty acid concentrations in common marmoset feces from the prepairing (PRE) to postpairing (POST) stages. In males, we observed that the concentrations of acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate significantly increased in the POST stage compared to the PRE stage. However, no significant changes were found in females. We further found that the propionate concentration was significantly positively correlated with the abundance of Phascolarctobacterium in the male feces. Thus, the sex difference in the changes in the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids might be related to sex-biased gut microbiome transmission after pairing. We suggest that the significant changes in the gut microbiomes and some short-chain fatty acids of the common marmoset during cohabitation may contribute to physiological homeostasis during pairing. IMPORTANCE This study addressed a knowledge gap about longitudinal changes in the gut microbiome metabolites during animal pairing. This research in the laboratory common marmoset can control for the confounding factors such as diet and other environmental conditions. Phascolarctobacterium showed the highest contribution to the sex-biased transmission of the female to the male after pairing. Here, we observed the sex difference in the increase in short-chain fatty acid concentration in the feces of newly paired marmosets, which may be caused by the sex-biased gut microbiome transmission after pairing.

Dominance relations and agonistic behaviour of Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus columbianus) during fall and spring migration

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 727-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon S Badzinski
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Agonistic Behaviour ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Group Status ◽  
Cygnus Columbianus ◽  
Dominance Relations ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Simple Decision Rule

Social interactions and agonistic activities of Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus columbianus) were documented at Long Point, Ontario, to determine (i) dominance relations among social groups and (ii) the frequency and intensity of agonistic acts by swans. Families were involved in one-third as many interactions as were nonfamily groups. Nonfamily groups initiated interactions with other nonfamily groups more often than they did with family groups, but families initiated the same relative numbers of interactions with family and nonfamily groups. Further, families won nearly all conflicts with nonfamily groups, which suggests that they generally dominated nonfamily groups. Tundra Swans also showed a dominance hierarchy based largely on family or group size. To reduce conflict and energy expenditure, swans may use a simple "decision rule" during interactions: larger groups and initiators win. Two results supported this: (1) swans initiated interactions more often with smaller groups and (2) groups that initiated won interactions more often than did recipients. Swans used low-intensity agonistic acts more frequently than higher intensity ones when engaging members of other social groups, but intensity of aggression was independent of group status. Dominance based on the use of simple cues may be especially beneficial in unstable social environments at major staging areas.

scholarly journals Rehumanizing the homeless: Altered BOLD response following contact with an extreme outgroup

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Kirk ◽  
A. O. Cohen ◽  
W. Sinnott-Armstrong ◽  
L.T. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Bold Signal ◽  
Mixed Design ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Altered Response

AbstractDehumanized perception strips people of their humanity by ignoring their mental states. Evidence has accumulated to suggest many individuals do not spontaneously attribute mental states towards certain social groups, such as the homeless, and drug-addicted (Fiske et al., 2002, Harris & Fiske, 2006; 2007; 2011). These groups tend to elicit differential BOLD signal within areas associated with social cognition. To investigate the versatility of this response, two experiments were conducted: a mixed design study (20 participants); and a repeated-measures design (11 participants). These investigated the malleability of social cognition following a contact intervention with the homeless. Both experiments had participants make emotional judgements toward eight different social groups whilst under fMRI. The two studies found mixed evidence, demonstrating altered response to homeless people in regions such as the mPFC, Insula, IPL, and MTG following social contact. This lends some support to the use of contact as an effective intervention.

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