Mapping social work across 10 countries: Structure, intervention, identity and challenges

An emerging global consciousness and rising attention given to international social work development has seen the recognition of comparative research within the profession. Understanding the functioning and organisation of social work within various country contexts is critical in order to formulate knowledge around its overall impact, successes and challenges, allowing social workers to learn from one another and build professional consolidation. The profession is mapped out in 10 countries, reflecting on its structure, identity and development. Although the profession is developing globally, it is also experiencing significant challenges. Key insights, conclusions and recommendations for future research are presented

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

INTRODUCTION The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities. Variations in human cortical surface area and thickness are associated with neurological, psychological, and behavioral traits and can be measured in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Studies in model organisms have identified genes that influence cortical structure, but little is known about common genetic variants that affect human cortical structure. RATIONALE To identify genetic variants associated with human cortical structure at both global and regional levels, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain MRI data from 51,665 individuals across 60 cohorts. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 cortical regions with known functional specializations. RESULTS We identified 306 nominally genome-wide significant loci (P < 5 × 10−8) associated with cortical structure in a discovery sample of 33,992 participants of European ancestry. Of the 299 loci for which replication data were available, 241 loci influencing surface area and 14 influencing thickness remained significant after replication, with 199 loci passing multiple testing correction (P < 8.3 × 10−10; 187 influencing surface area and 12 influencing thickness). Common genetic variants explained 34% (SE = 3%) of the variation in total surface area and 26% (SE = 2%) in average thickness; surface area and thickness showed a negative genetic correlation (rG = −0.32, SE = 0.05, P = 6.5 × 10−12), which suggests that genetic influences have opposing effects on surface area and thickness. Bioinformatic analyses showed that total surface area is influenced by genetic variants that alter gene regulatory activity in neural progenitor cells during fetal development. By contrast, average thickness is influenced by active regulatory elements in adult brain samples, which may reflect processes that occur after mid-fetal development, such as myelination, branching, or pruning. When considered together, these results support the radial unit hypothesis that different developmental mechanisms promote surface area expansion and increases in thickness. To identify specific genetic influences on individual cortical regions, we controlled for global measures (total surface area or average thickness) in the regional analyses. After multiple testing correction, we identified 175 loci that influence regional surface area and 10 that influence regional thickness. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes involved in the Wnt signaling pathway, which is known to influence areal identity. We observed significant positive genetic correlations and evidence of bidirectional causation of total surface area with both general cognitive functioning and educational attainment. We found additional positive genetic correlations between total surface area and Parkinson’s disease but did not find evidence of causation. Negative genetic correlations were evident between total surface area and insomnia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder, and neuroticism. CONCLUSION This large-scale collaborative work enhances our understanding of the genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex and its regional patterning. The highly polygenic architecture of the cortex suggests that distinct genes are involved in the development of specific cortical areas. Moreover, we find evidence that brain structure is a key phenotype along the causal pathway that leads from genetic variation to differences in general cognitive function

Participatory methods in scientific theory and hands-on implementation - can the two be brought together?

Experiences gathered with a rural development project of UNDP in the Valley of Sao Joao Baptista, on the Cape Verdian Island of Santiago, being an intensive erosion control project. The experiences were related to enlist participation of the population for maintaining the erosion control work

Dietary red palm oil protects the heart against the cytotoxic effects of anthracycline

Strong anti-neoplastic anthracyclines like daunorubicin (DNR) and doxorubicin (DOX) have high efficacy against systemic neoplasm and solid tumours. However, clinically, they cause chronic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Red palm oil (RPO) supplementation can protect the heart against ischemic injury. We therefore hypothesize that supplementation with RPO during chemotherapy may protect the heart. Control rats received a standard diet, and the experimental group received RPO in addition for 4weeks. Each group was subsequently injected with either saline or DNR over a 12-day period towards the end of 4weeks. Hearts were excised and perfused on a working heart system. Functional parameters were measured. Tissue samples were collected for analysis of mRNA and protein levels. DNR+RPO increased aortic output by 25% (p<0·05) compared with DNR only. Furthermore, DNR treatment significantly reduced tissue mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) compared with untreated controls. Protein expression of SOD1 followed the same pattern as mRNA levels. NOS1 protein levels were significantly increased in DNR treated rats when compared with untreated controls. In addition, DNR increased phosphorylation of p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase compared with untreated controls, whereas DNR+RPO completely counteracted this activation. DNR+RPO significantly up regulated the protein extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 level compared with DNR only. In this model of DNR treatment, RPO is associated with stabilization of important antioxidant enzymes such NOS and SOD, and inhibition of the 'stress' induced mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Dietary RPO also maintained function, similar to control, in DNR treated hearts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Articl

Daunorubicin therapy is associated with upregulation of E3 ubiquitin ligases in the heart

Daunorubicin (DNR) and doxorubicin (DOX) are two of the most effective anthracycline drugs known for the treatment of systemic neoplasms and solid tumors. However, their clinical use is hampered due to profound cardiotoxicity. The mechanism by which DNR injures the heart remains to be fully elucidated. Recent reports have indicated that DOX activates ubiquitin proteasome-mediated degradation of specific transcription factors; however, no reports exist on the effect of DNR on the E3 ubiquitin ligases, MURF-1 (muscle ring finger 1) and MAFbx (muscle atrophy F-box). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DNR treatment on the protein and organelle degradation systems in the heart and to elucidate some of the signalling mechanisms involved. Adult rats were divided into two groups where one group received six intraperitoneal injections of 2 mg/kg DNR on alternate days and the other group received saline injections as control. Hearts were excised and perfused on a working heart system the day after the last injection and freeze-clamped for biochemical analysis. DNR treatment significantly attenuated cardiac function and increased apoptosis in the heart. DNR-induced cardiac cytotoxicity was associated with upregulation of the E3 ligases, MURF-1 and MAFbx and also caused significant increases in two markers of autophagy, beclin-1 and LC3. These changes observed in the heart were also associated with attenuation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signalling pathway. © 2012 by the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine