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Neural endophenotypes of social behaviour in autism spectrum conditions
Autism is characterized by qualitative impairments in social interaction, communication, and stereotyped repetitive behaviors and/or restricted interests. Beyond these diagnostic criteria, autism is viewed as a neurodevelopmental condition with possibly several etiologies that manifest in complex patterns of atypical structural and functional brain development, cognition, and behavior. Despite the multidimensional nature of and substantial variation within the autism spectrum, impairments in social interaction remain among the most visible hallmarks of the condition. It is this profound developmental deficit in the social domain that makes autism a unique case in the field of social neuroscience. This chapter contributes to the dialogue amongst both the fields of autism research and social neuroscience by deliberately taking the stance of asking how we can understand more about the etiological mechanisms underlying social behavior in autism. It presents a multi-level overview of the literature on the behavioral, neural, and genetic underpinnings of social functioning in autism spectrum conditions (ASC). The main objective is to highlight the current state of the field regarding theory of mind/empathy difficulties in ASC, and then to suggest distinct candidate neural endophenotypes that can bridge the gap between social behavior and genetic mechanisms
Pattern Selection in the Complex Ginzburg-Landau Equation with Multi-Resonant Forcing
We study the excitation of spatial patterns by resonant, multi-frequency
forcing in systems undergoing a Hopf bifurcation to spatially homogeneous
oscillations. Using weakly nonlinear analysis we show that for small amplitudes
only stripe or hexagon patterns are linearly stable, whereas square patterns
and patterns involving more than three modes are unstable. In the case of
hexagon patterns up- and down-hexagons can be simultaneously stable. The
third-order, weakly nonlinear analysis predicts stable square patterns and
super-hexagons for larger amplitudes. Direct simulations show, however, that in
this regime the third-order weakly nonlinear analysis is insufficient, and
these patterns are, in fact unstable
A model of maxilla resection to test new hybrid implants:macroporous titanium and tissue engineering elements
Maxillary bone loss in commonly found in humans, due to bone ageing, tooth loos, periodontal disease and, more severely, to trauma, radiotherapy and tumor resection. Masillofacial reconstructive surgery is a still unmet clinical demand, available therapies include grafting of autologous or heterologous bone tissue and/or the implantation of metallic plates, buy these treatments are still unable to resume form and function. The emrgence of 3D-printing technology applied to metal alloys now allows the manufacturing of customized, patient-tailored prosthetic implants. However, poor bone quiality at the implant site due to ageing or disease still hamper proper osseointegration. By combining Electron Beam Melting metal sintering and tissue engineering, we are developing hybrid maxillofacial implants, wher a metal framework of Ti6Al4V alloy confers both and appropiaate shape and mechanical stabilty, while stem cells and osteogenic molecules stimulate bone growth into the metal framework, thus pormoting osseointegration. We hereby present the in vitro work driving to the development of our hybrid maxillofacial prostheses, as well as the setting up of an in vivo model of complete maxilla full resection, created in order to test the prostheses in a preclinical studyUniversidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech
Experimental study of Taylor's hypothesis in a turbulent soap film
An experimental study of Taylor's hypothesis in a quasi-two-dimensional
turbulent soap film is presented. A two probe laser Doppler velocimeter enables
a non-intrusive simultaneous measurement of the velocity at spatially separated
points. The breakdown of Taylor's hypothesis is quantified using the cross
correlation between two points displaced in both space and time; correlation is
better than 90% for scales less than the integral scale. A quantitative study
of the decorrelation beyond the integral scale is presented, including an
analysis of the failure of Taylor's hypothesis using techniques from
predictability studies of turbulent flows. Our results are compared with
similar studies of 3D turbulence.Comment: 27 pages, + 19 figure
Rituximab plus chemotherapy provides no clinical benefit in a peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified with aberrant expression of CD20 and CD79a. A case report and review of the literature
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) is the most common entity of mature T-cell neoplasms. PTCL-NOS generally has an aggressive behavior and is often refractory to standard therapy. Only a few cases of PTCL with aberrant expression of B-cell antigens have been reported so far. This phenotypic aberrancy may lead to misdiagnosis as B-cell non- Hodgkin lymphomas and eventual inappropriate patient management, whereas in an accurately diagnosed PTCL, the presence of CD20 may appear as an appealing therapeutic target. In this setting, response to anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in combination with chemotherapy has been poorly explored. We describe the case of a 59-year-old male diagnosed by a pathological and molecular approach as PTCL-NOS with aberrant co-expression of the B-cell antigens CD20 and CD79a, which proved non-responsive to the addition of rituximab to standard polychemotherapy. This case highlights that the presence of CD20 in PTCL may be misleading in the diagnosis and also act as a lure for the clinician to adopt a rituximab-based treatment, the effectiveness of which is undefined as the molecular mechanisms underlying B-cell marker expression in PTCL
Women's Cardiac Health in 2020: A Systematic Review
AbstractAlthough substantial progress has been made toward improving gender- and sex-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) management and outcomes, contemporary reports indicate a persistent knowledge gap with regard to optimal risk-stratification and management in female cardiac heart disease (CHD) patients. Prominent patient and system delays in diagnosing CHD are, in part, due to the limited awareness for the latent CVD risk in women, a lack of sex-specific thresholds within clinical guidelines, and subsequent limited performance of contemporary diagnostic approaches in women. Several traditional risk factors for CHD affect both women and men. But other factors can play a bigger role in the development of heart disease in women. In addition, little is known about the influence of socioenvironmental and contextual factors on gender-specific disease manifestation and outcomes. It is imperative that we understand the mechanisms that contribute to worsening risk factors profiles in young women to reduce future atherosclerotic CVD morbidity and mortality. This comprehensive review focuses on the novel aspects of cardiovascular health in women and sex differences as they relate to clinical practice and prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CVD. Increased recognition of the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and their differential impact in women, as well as emerging nontraditional risk factors unique to or more common in women, contribute to new understanding mechanisms, leading to worsening outcome for women
The Ferroxidase Hephaestin in Lung Cancer: Pathological Significance and Prognostic Value
Hephaestin (HEPH) belongs to a group of exocytoplasmic ferroxidases which contribute to cellular iron homeostasis by favouring its export. Down-regulation of HEPH expression, possibly by stimulating cell proliferation due to an increase in iron availability, has shown to correlate with poor survival in breast cancer. The lung is particularly sensitive to iron-induced oxidative stress, given the high oxygen tension present, however, HEPH distribution in lung cancer and its influence on prognosis have not been investigated yet. In this study we explored the prognostic value of HEPH and its expression pattern in the most prevalent histotypes of lung cancers, namely lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. In silico analyses, based on UALCAN, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and Kaplan–Meier plotter bioinformatics, revealed a significant correlation between higher levels of HEPH expression and favorable prognosis, in both cancer histotypes. Moreover, TIMER web platform showed a statistically significant association between HEPH expression and cell elements belonging to the tumor microenvironment identified as endothelial cells and a subpopulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts, further confirmed by double immunohistochemical labeling with cell type specific markers. Taken together, these data shed a light on the complex mechanisms of local iron handling lung cancer can exploit to support tumorigenesis
Decoding the CO2 Reduction Mechanism of a Highly Active Organometallic Manganese Electrocatalyst: Direct Observation of a Hydride Intermediate and Its Implications
A detailed mechanistic study of the electrochemical CO2 reduction catalyzed by the fac-[Mn-I(CO)(3)(bis-(NHC)-N-Me)MeCN](+) complex (1-MeCN+ ) is reported herein by combining in situFTIR spectroelectrochemistry(SEC), synthesis and characterization of catalytic intermediates,and DFT calculations. Under low proton concentrations, 1-MeCN+ efficiently catalyzes CO2 electroreductionwith long catalyst durability and selectivity toward CO (ca. 100%). The [Mn-I(CO)(3)(bis-(NHC)-N-Me)](-) anion (1(-) ) and the tetracarbonyl [Mn-I(CO)(4)(bis-(NHC)-N-Me)](+) complex (1-CO+ )are key intermediates of the catalytic CO2-to-CO mechanismdue to their impact on the selectivity and the reaction rate, respectively.Increasing the proton concentration increases formate production (upto 15% FE), although CO remains the major product. The origin of formateis ascribed to the competitive protonation of 1(-) to form a Mn(I) hydride (1-H), detected by SECin the absence of CO2. 1-H was also synthesizedand thoroughly characterized, including by X-ray diffraction analysis.Stoichiometric reactivity studies of 1-H with CO2 and labeled (CO2)-C-13 indicate a fast formationof the corresponding neutral Mn(I) formate species (1-OCOH) at room temperature. DFT modeling confirms the intrinsic capabilityof 1-H to undergo hydride transfer to CO2 dueto the strong & sigma;-donor properties of the bis-(Me)NHCmoiety. However, the large potential required for the HCOO- release from 1-OCOH limits the overall catalytic CO2-to-HCOO- cycle. Moreover, the experimentallyobserved preferential selectivity for CO over formate is dictatedby the shallow kinetic barrier for CO2 binding to 1(-) compared to the Mn-H bond formation.The detailed mechanistic study highlights the reduction potential,pK (a), and hydricity of the metal hydrideintermediate as crucial factors affecting the CO2RR selectivityin molecular systems
Effects of Heating and Cooling on Nerve Terminal Impulses Recorded from Cold-sensitive Receptors in the Guinea-pig Cornea
An in vitro preparation of the guinea-pig cornea was used to study the effects of changing temperature on nerve terminal impulses recorded extracellularly from cold-sensitive receptors. At a stable holding temperature (31–32.5°C), cold receptors had an ongoing periodic discharge of nerve terminal impulses. This activity decreased or ceased with heating and increased with cooling. Reducing the rate of temperature change reduced the respective effects of heating and cooling on nerve terminal impulse frequency. In addition to changes in the frequency of activity, nerve terminal impulse shape also changed with heating and cooling. At the same ambient temperature, nerve terminal impulses were larger in amplitude and faster in time course during heating than those recorded during cooling. The magnitude of these effects of heating and cooling on nerve terminal impulse shape was reduced if the rate of temperature change was slowed. At 29, 31.5, and 35°C, a train of 50 electrical stimuli delivered to the ciliary nerves at 10–40 Hz produced a progressive increase in the amplitude of successive nerve terminal impulses evoked during the train. Therefore, it is unlikely that the reduction in nerve terminal impulse amplitude observed during cooling is due to the activity-dependent changes in the nerve terminal produced by the concomitant increase in impulse frequency. Instead, the differences in nerve terminal impulse shape observed at the same ambient temperature during heating and cooling may reflect changes in the membrane potential of the nerve terminal associated with thermal transduction
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