Neural regulation of cancer: from mechanobiology to inflammation.

Despite recent progress in cancer research, the exact nature of malignant transformation and its progression is still not fully understood. Particularly metastasis, which accounts for most cancer death, is a very complex process, and new treatment strategies require a more comprehensive understanding of underlying regulatory mechanisms. Recently, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) has been implicated in cancer progression and beta-blockers have been identified as a novel strategy to limit metastasis. This review discusses evidence that SNS signaling regulates metastasis by modulating the physical characteristics of tumor cells, tumor-associated immune cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Altered mechanotype is an emerging hallmark of cancer cells that is linked to invasive phenotype and treatment resistance. Mechanotype also influences crosstalk between tumor cells and their environment, and may thus have a critical role in cancer progression. First, we discuss how neural signaling regulates metastasis and how SNS signaling regulates both biochemical and mechanical properties of tumor cells, immune cells and the ECM. We then review our current knowledge of the mechanobiology of cancer with a focus on metastasis. Next, we discuss links between SNS activity and tumor-associated inflammation, the mechanical properties of immune cells, and how the physical properties of the ECM regulate cancer and metastasis. Finally, we discuss the potential for clinical translation of our knowledge of cancer mechanobiology to improve diagnosis and treatment

The construct of self within a multicultural context: a critical analysis

This critical analysis of the literature explores the construct of self from indigenous perspectives to increase cultural responsiveness in psychological theory, research, and practice. Mainstream psychology addresses various aspects of self, including self-esteem, authentic self, self-actualization, and true self (Elliott & Coker, 2008; Kernis, 2003; Kernis & Goldman, 2006; Maslow, 1964; Rogers, 1961), without defining self or what it means to be a human being. Theories of self are essentially theories of what it means to be a human being (Logan, 1986). Despite the breadth of interest, research, and theory in self, there is a pervasive omission of clear and specific definitions. This lack of clarification and consensus has resulted in gaps and confusion in the self literature (Spiro, 1993). Further complicating matters is the issue of how self is construed cross-culturally. Psychological science has attempted to understand how various aspects of self and culture intersect, but conclusions have been tentative at best because of insufficient understandings of self in culturally-diverse contexts. Self is construed differently within mainstream psychological science and within cultures. This dissertation aims to explore indigenous models of self to enhance and expand on current understandings of self in the cultural psychology literature. In light of alternate models of self, this dissertation questions the relevance and adequacy of mainstream psychological theories and practices when applied to people of non-western cultures. Recommendations are offered on how to be more culturally responsive to people who may not share mainstream views of self. In doing so, biases and assumptions in psychology will be highlighted to raise awareness about how pervasively the western cultural worldview has been privileged in the development of psychological theory and practice

Children’s episodic and generic reports of alleged abuse

With the present data, we explored the relations between the language of interviewer questions, children’s reports, and case and child characteristics in forensic interviews. Results clearly indicated that the type of questions posed by interviewers – either probing generic or episodic features of an event – was related to the specificity of information reported by children. Further, interviewers appeared to adjust their questioning strategies based on the frequency of the alleged abuse. Children alleging single instances of abuse were asked more episodic questions than those alleging multiple abuses. In contrast, children alleging multiple incidents of abuse were asked a greater proportion of generic questions. Given that investigators often seek forensically-relevant episodic information, it is recommended that training for investigators focus on recognition of prompt selection tendencies and developing strategies for posing non-suggestive, episodically focused questions

Predicting spatial spread of rabies in skunk populations using surveillance data reported by the public

Background: Prevention and control of wildlife disease invasions relies on the ability to predict spatio-temporal dynamics and understand the role of factors driving spread rates, such as seasonality and transmission distance. Passive disease surveillance (i.e., case reports by public) is a common method of monitoring emergence of wildlife diseases, but can be challenging to interpret due to spatial biases and limitations in data quantity and quality. Methodology/Principal findings: We obtained passive rabies surveillance data from dead striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in an epizootic in northern Colorado, USA. We developed a dynamic patch-occupancy model which predicts spatio-temporal spreading while accounting for heterogeneous sampling. We estimated the distance travelled per transmission event, direction of invasion, rate of spatial spread, and effects of infection density and season. We also estimated mean transmission distance and rates of spatial spread using a phylogeographic approach on a subsample of viral sequences from the same epizootic. Both the occupancy and phylogeographic approaches predicted similar rates of spatio-temporal spread. Estimated mean transmission distances were 2.3 km (95% Highest Posterior Density (HPD95): 0.02, 11.9; phylogeographic) and 3.9 km (95% credible intervals (CI95): 1.4, 11.3; occupancy). Estimated rates of spatial spread in km/year were: 29.8 (HPD95: 20.8, 39.8; phylogeographic, branch velocity, homogenous model), 22.6 (HPD95: 15.3, 29.7; phylogeographic, diffusion rate, homogenous model) and 21.1 (CI95: 16.7, 25.5; occupancy). Initial colonization probability was twice as high in spring relative to fall. Conclusions/Significance: Skunk-to-skunk transmission was primarily local (< 4 km) suggesting that if interventions were needed, they could be applied at the wave front. Slower viral invasions of skunk rabies in western USA compared to a similar epizootic in raccoons in the eastern USA implies host species or landscape factors underlie the dynamics of rabies invasions. Our framework provides a straightforward method for estimating rates of spatial spread of wildlife diseases

Structural details of an art gallery

Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1995.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-35).Connections describes the physical means by which the building transforms concept into reality. These connections link between user and building; site and building; program and building; art and public. This study uses as a starting point a previous design project where advances technology allowed and informed the complex geometry and overall composition of the building. This thesis investigates the assemblage of the major building components to demonstrate how the connections make the building. This model will show how these technologies best realize the intent of the program. This art gallery gives up-and-coming local and regional artists and designers the opportunity to exhibit their work. The combination of the building and program will increase the interaction between the general public and art. The building design distinguishes itself from the typical temple- or vault-like quality of the art museum and exhibits a more inviting form. These connections not only make the building; they connect art and public in a more dynamic relationship.by Amy M. Kim.M.Arch

Dysregulation of NAD+ metabolism induces a Schwann cell dedifferentiation program

The Schwann cell (SC) is the major component of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that provides metabolic and functional support for peripheral axons. The emerging roles of SC mitochondrial function for PNS development and axonal stability indicate the importance of SC metabolism in nerve function and in peripheral neuropathies associated with metabolic disorders. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NA

Cost management preferences of small restaurant firms

The purpose of this study is to test cost management preferences of small restaurant firms. It attempts to identify whether managers of small restaurant firms behave differently depending on the level of conflict as noted by agency theory and expense preference theory; Data from 87 private small restaurant firms were used. Cost of doing business, size of staff and five accounting ratios (ROE, ROA, Profit Margin, Financial Leverage and Asset Utilization) were used as dependent variables. Three independent variables, type of management, family-owned factor and ownership percentage were used as the sources of variance. The results from the analysis of variance and linear regression show support for the research hypotheses that small restaurant firms are operated differently depending on the level of conflict

Rabies Surveillance Identifies Potential Risk Corridors and Enables Management Evaluation

Intensive efforts are being made to eliminate the raccoon variant of rabies virus (RABV) from the eastern United States and Canada. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services National Rabies Management Program has implemented enhanced rabies surveillance (ERS) to improve case detection across the extent of the raccoon oral rabies vaccination (ORV) management area. We evaluated ERS and public health surveillance data from 2006 to 2017 in three northeastern USA states using a dynamic occupancy modeling approach. Our objectives were to examine potential risk corridors for RABV incursion from the U.S. into Canada, evaluate the effectiveness of ORV management strategies, and identify surveillance gaps. ORV management has resulted in a decrease in RABV cases over time within vaccination zones (from occupancy (ψ) of 0.60 standard error (SE) = 0.03 in the spring of 2006 to ψ of 0.33 SE = 0.10 in the spring 2017). RABV cases also reduced in the enzootic area (from ψ of 0.60 SE = 0.03 in the spring of 2006 to ψ of 0.45 SE = 0.05 in the spring 2017). Although RABV occurrence was related to habitat type, greater impacts were associated with ORV and trap–vaccinate–release (TVR) campaigns, in addition to seasonal and yearly trends. Reductions in RABV occupancy were more pronounced in areas treated with Ontario Rabies Vaccine Bait (ONRAB) compared to RABORAL V-RG®. Our approach tracked changes in RABV occurrence across space and time, identified risk corridors for potential incursions into Canada, and highlighted surveillance gaps, while evaluating the impacts of management actions. Using this approach, we are able to provide guidance for future RABV management