Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Seo-Yeon Hong, Jong-Ku Gal, Bo-Yeon Lee, Wu-Ju Son, Jin-Woo Jung, Hyung-Sul La, Kyung-Hoon Shin, Jeong-Hoon Kim, Sun-Yong Ha
Summary: Stable isotope analysis was used to identify diet composition and regional differences in Adelie and Emperor penguins in the Ross Sea region. Adelie penguins showed regional differences in diet, while Emperor penguins did not. This reflects the impact of prey distribution on penguin diets.
Article
Ecology
Roger Colominas-Ciuro, Marcelo Bedellotti, Veronica L. D'Amico, Eliana Carabajal, Jesus Benzal, Virginia Vidal, Miguel Motas, Mercedes Santos, Nestor Coria, Andres Barbosa
Summary: Ecologically similar marine species in the same areas compete for food resources, but such competition can be reduced by resource partitioning strategies that are influenced by diet and feeding strategies affecting antioxidant defenses and production of reactive oxygen species. Penguins in Antarctica show interspecific differences in trophic level, foraging habitat, dietary antioxidants, and oxidative status, with no clear relationships found between dietary antioxidants and species-specific antioxidant capacity, highlighting the importance of endogenously produced antioxidants. Oxidative status appears to be differently related to foraging strategy and antioxidant capacity in each species.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Roger Colominas-Ciuro, Marcelo Bertellotti, Veronica L. D'Amico, Eliana Carabajal, Jesus Benzal, Virginia Vidal, Miguel Motas, Andres Barbosa
Summary: This study examines the ecological segregation and dietary antioxidant differences between male and female Magellanic penguins. The results suggest that foraging habitat and dietary antioxidants show significant sexual segregation, and this segregation is linked to sex-specific ecological niches.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angela Hernandez-Ruiz, Belen Garcia-Villanova, Eduardo J. Guerra-Hernandez, Cayetano Javier Carrion-Garcia, Pilar Amiano, Maria-Jose Sanchez, Esther Molina-Montes
Summary: Oxidative Balance Scores (OBS) are tools that assess individuals' antioxidant state based on dietary and lifestyle factors. New versions of OBS were developed, showing correlations with antioxidant-rich dietary patterns and biomarkers of antioxidant nutrient intake and inflammation.
Article
Geography, Physical
Lianjiao Yang, Yuesong Gao, Qibin Xu, Tao Huang, Wenqing Yang, Zhuding Chu, Yuhong Wang, Jianjun Wang, Liguang Sun, Zhouqing Xie
Summary: Drastic climate change poses a threat to penguins' ecological security. Previous studies have suggested that penguins disappeared from the Scott Coast around 2000 years ago due to either cooling or warming. However, recent findings show that penguin colonies were not abandoned on Dunlop Island around 2000 years ago, and there was a permanent snow/ice cover around 1700 years ago, indicating a Neoglacial cooling period. The abandonment of penguin colonies on the Scott Coast was likely caused by increased coastal sea ice and/or snow/ice accumulation during this cooling period.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dongwei Wang, Yani Deng, Lei Zhao, Kai Wang, Dongmei Wu, Zhuoyan Hu, Xuwei Liu
Summary: This study aimed to explore the potential of GABA and fermented litchi juice enriched with GABA (FLJ) in protecting against obesity in a high-fat diet mouse model. Supplementation of GABA and FLJ showed an anti-obesogenic effect by reducing body weight gain, fat accumulation, and oxidative damage, and improving serum lipid profile and hepatic function. Sequencing of fecal samples indicated that GABA and FLJ intervention had different regulatory effects on gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by the high-fat diet.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paramita Choudhury, Suman Kumar Samanta, Swarnali Bhattacharjee, Himangshu Sarma, Rajlakshmi Devi
Summary: This study investigated the preventive efficacy of a phytochemical composite derived from whole grain scented joha rice (PCKJ) in lowering the prevalence of type-2 diabetes in rats. The findings showed that PCKJ facilitated glucose uptake and improved insulin sensitization in L6 myotubes, leading to improved glucose metabolism. The administration of PCKJ to rats significantly reduced blood glucose levels and improved lipid metabolism. This study highlights the potential value of PCKJ in developing functional foods for preventing and managing type-2 diabetes.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Nurul Aini Puasa, Azham Zulkharnain, Gayathiri Verasoundarapandian, Chiew-Yen Wong, Khadijah Nabilah Mohd Zahri, Faradina Merican, Noor Azmi Shaharuddin, Claudio Gomez-Fuentes, Siti Aqlima Ahmad
Summary: Antarctica is contaminated by anthropogenic pollution, with penguins being at major risk due to the toxic effects of diesel, heavy metals, and microplastics. Despite being a relatively pristine continent, the increasing number of visitors poses a risk of environmental pollution. There is a surge of interest in the impacts of pollutants on penguins, highlighting the need for further research on this topic.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan Handley, Marie-Morgane Rouyer, Elizabeth J. Pearmain, Victoria Warwick-Evans, Katharina Teschke, Jefferson T. Hinke, Heather Lynch, Louise Emmerson, Colin Southwell, Gary Griffith, Cesar A. Cardenas, Aldina M. A. Franco, Phil Trathan, Maria P. Dias
Summary: Global targets for area-based conservation and management should consider the quality of such areas in addition to threshold-based targets. In the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, where key biodiversity faces unprecedented risks from climate change and resource extraction demands are growing, evidence suggests that more high quality areas could benefit from a proposed network of marine protected areas (MPAs). Penguins, as indicator species, offer an opportunity to identify high quality marine areas and our data supports the designation of the proposed MPA network in Antarctic waters.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mohammadreza Askari, Hadis Mozaffari, Manije Darooghegi Mofrad, Alireza Jafari, Pamela J. Surkan, Mohammad Reza Amini, Leila Azadbakht
Summary: Garlic supplementation can increase antioxidant capacity and reduce pro-oxidant enzymes, which helps to alleviate oxidative stress. Supplementing with garlic can enhance total antioxidant capacity, decrease malondialdehyde levels, and increase superoxide dismutase levels in the serum.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Denisa-Madalina Zalar, Cristina Pop, Elena Buzdugan, Bela Kiss, Maria-Georgia Stefan, Steliana Ghibu, Doinita Crisan, Alexandra Buruiana-Simic, Adriana Grozav, Ileana Monica Borda, Cristina Ionela Mogosan
Summary: The study evaluated the effect of colchicine in an animal model of hyperlipidemia. The results showed that colchicine reduced lipid levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation markers, and improved endothelial dysfunction. However, the use of colchicine may have adverse effects.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Xiong Lei, Zhixiao Xu, Wenwen Chen
Summary: Oxidative stress is correlated with sleep quality. Diet and lifestyle can influence sleep quality by modulating oxidative balance. Antioxidant diets and lifestyles are important in reducing sleep problems and improving sleep quality.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guangrong Xie, Qipeng Zhang, Zhengfeng Fang, Lianqiang Che, Yan Lin, Shengyu Xu, Yong Zhuo, Lun Hua, Xuemei Jiang, Jian Li, Mengmeng Sun, Yuanfeng Zou, Chao Huang, Lixia Li, De Wu, Bin Feng
Summary: This study found that excessive intake of oxidized fat during pregnancy and lactation can harm both the mother's body and the health of their offspring. However, supplementation of vitamin D and inulin during pregnancy and lactation can mitigate these damages.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuang Liu, Xing Wen, Qihan Huang, Minghui Zhu, Jun Lu
Summary: Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapy drug for solid tumors but also causes various side effects, especially nephrotoxicity. Previous studies have shown a correlation between selenoenzymes and cisplatin-induced renal damage. This study established mouse models with different selenium intake levels and found that selenium deficiency increased sensitivity to cisplatin-induced damage, while selenium supplementation protected against renal injury.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Fahimeh Martami, Kathleen F. Holton
Summary: Glutamate plays a significant role in migraines, with excessive levels contributing to excitotoxicity and neuronal injury. Certain nutrients have protective effects against excitotoxicity and can restore glutamate homeostasis.
Article
Ecology
Franziska Guenter, Michael Beaulieu, Kasimir F. Freiberg, Ines Welzel, Nia Toshkova, Anamarija Zagar, Tatjana Simcic, Klaus Fischer
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Ornithology
Natalia G. Rosciano, Michael J. Polito, Andrea Raya Rey
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biology
Pierick Mouginot, Gabriele Uhl, Nia Toshkova, Michael Beaulieu
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rohit Kalvakaalva, Gemma Clucas, Rachael W. Herman, Michael J. Polito
Article
Ecology
Cecilia Di Bernardi, Anne-Mathilde Thierry, Nina E. Eide, Diana E. Bowler, Lars Rod-Eriksen, Stefan Blumentrath, Lukas Tietgen, Brett K. Sandercock, Oystein Flagstad, Arild Landa
Summary: Selection for crypsis is recognized as an important ecological driver of animal colouration, while the importance of thermoregulation is contentious. In Arctic foxes, the blue morph showed higher breeding propensity compared to the white morph, suggesting the influence of color morph on reproductive performance. The study did not consistently support predictions of camouflage or thermoregulation hypotheses, indicating potential physiological and behavioral factors in the success of different color morphs.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Herdem Aslan, Michael J. Polito
Summary: Invasive non-native Atlantic blue crabs in the Mediterranean Sea present a concern due to potential negative interactions with native species. A study in the Northern Aegean Sea found limited isotopic niche overlap with native species, and observed changes in trophic positions and diet sources of blue crabs over time. Methodological differences in estimating trophic position limit the ability to assess interactions of invasive blue crabs with native species.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Michaeel Beaulieu, Michael Daehne, Jane Koepp, Coline Marciau, Akiko Kato, Yan Ropert-Coudert, Thierry Raclot
Summary: The vocalizations produced during nest relief ceremonies by reproductive partners reflect some characteristics of the foraging trips of both the returning and departing partners, but departing individuals do not adopt the same foraging behavior as that of returning individuals.
Article
Ecology
Rita Fragueira, Fabrice Helfenstein, Klaus Fischer, Michael Beaulieu
Summary: Responses to extreme climatic events may differ between individuals of distinct morphs within a species, with different life-history strategies leading to 'winners' and 'losers' in climate change scenarios. While black-headed female Gouldian finches showed a decline in reproductive performance after severe heatwaves, overall reproductive success of both morphs was not significantly affected by heatwave intensity. Offspring bore the cost of parental exposure to severe heatwaves, showing reduced condition and higher oxidative damage, but the impact may vary depending on the offspring's capacity to recover from altered developmental conditions.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samanta Dodino, Nicolas A. Lois, Luciana Riccialdelli, Michael J. Polito, Klemens Puetz, Andrea Raya Rey
Summary: The research on Magellanic penguins revealed that during winter, female penguins typically dispersed further north than males, despite having lower trophic positions and diving less deep. Additionally, high spatial overlap was found between fisheries and penguins, without any significant statistical differences in overlap between sexes and fisheries.
Article
Limnology
Friedrich W. Keppeler, Jill A. Olin, Paola C. Lopez-Duarte, Michael J. Polito, Linda M. Hooper-Bui, Sabrina S. Taylor, Nancy N. Rabalais, F. Joel Fodrie, Brian J. Roberts, R. Eugene Turner, Charles W. Martin, Olaf P. Jensen
Summary: Body size plays a crucial role in structuring food webs, with larger consumers associated with higher trophic positions and energy transfer between different habitats. In a saltmarsh landscape, phytoplankton support longer food chains and larger body sizes compared to C4-marsh plants, indicating variations in trophic interactions across different compartments of the food web.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Anais Degut, Klaus Fischer, Martin Quque, Francois Criscuolo, Peter Michalik, Michael Beaulieu
Summary: Phenotypic plasticity within populations allows for adaptive phenotypic variation in response to seasonal changes, with long-term effects on adult morphology and performance. This plasticity may facilitate life-history strategies to cope with climate change.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Helen Roessler, Maureen Lynch, Sara Torres Ortiz, Ole Naesbye Larsen, Michael Beaulieu
Summary: When suitable nesting habitat is rare, birds may have to share it with heterospecific individuals with similar nesting requirements. This species mosaic can affect how breeding birds communicate vocally with each other. A study on Gentoo Penguins found that their ecstatic display calls had lower frequencies and energy distribution when they bred in mixed colonies with Adelie Penguins, but were unaffected by the presence of Chinstrap Penguins.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Keith W. Sockman, Michael Beaulieu
Summary: Despite the expectation of reduction in prevalence, individually consistent behavioural phenotypes persist in diverse populations. The life-history trade-off between current and future reproduction, combined with individual variation in age or condition, may explain this paradox.
Article
Biology
Michael Beaulieu
Summary: The study of animal affective states has mostly focused on enhancing welfare in non-natural contexts, but broadening it to wild animals can broaden our general understanding of animal welfare. However, examining welfare in the wild is challenging and requires unifying theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches. This article aims to highlight the relationship between physiology and animal welfare, rectify the current oversight, and provide best-practice recommendations for assessing animal welfare in their natural habitat.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Chantel I. Michelson, Michael J. Polito, Michael B. Wunder, Steven D. Emslie, Matthew D. Mccarthy, William P. Patterson, Kelton W. Mcmahon
Summary: Studies of Antarctic paleo-archives have revealed conflicting hypotheses on the drivers of Southern Ocean food web dynamics, with some suggesting long-term climate change and historic exploitation of marine mammals as the key factors. This study used amino acid stable isotope analysis on Adelie penguin eggshells to differentiate variation in diet and trophic dynamics from baseline biogeochemical cycling, and found that major changes in biogeochemical cycling at the base of the food web, linked to climatic events during the Little Ice Age, were the primary drivers of the decline in krill predator bulk tissue delta 15N values. This study emphasizes the importance of climate-induced variability in biogeochemical cycling on ecological processes and improves our understanding of the consequences of future environmental change in the Southern Ocean.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)