Abundance of Small Carnivores in Nyika National Park, Malawi

This study investigated the population and distribution of elusive small carnivore species in Nyika National Park, Malawi. The Nyika plateau is the highest point in Malawi, reaching peak elevation at 2.607m asl. Camera traps have photographed genets (Genetta maculata) and African civets (Civettictus civetta) during warmer months but this was the first study focusing on small carnivores in the area. Research aims were to 1) provide an assessment of small carnivore abundance; 2) determine seasonal movement of viverrid species to lower elevations; 3) explore effects of poaching on small carnivore distribution. Methods used were driven transects (10 daytime and 8 night-time/dawn); walking transects (10 daytime and 7 night with local armed guard) and camera-traps. All relevant locations were recorded using GPS handheld devices. Previous data was analysed to confirm locations of past sightings, including in miombo woodland south of the plateau. There were two sightings of genets on night walks but no small carnivores were sighted on driven transects. Historically, Nyika National Park has suffered from poaching. Fires were present during the study period, driving a variety of Nyika’s wildlife closer to the Chilinda staff village - African viverrids are commonly poached for the bushmeat, fur and pet trades. Genet distribution displayed a higher behavioural flexibility for inhabiting areas affected by anthropogenic modifications

Hippocampal Adult Neurogenesis Is Maintained by Neil3-Dependent Repair of Oxidative DNA Lesions in Neural Progenitor Cells

SummaryAccumulation of oxidative DNA damage has been proposed as a potential cause of age-related cognitive decline. The major pathway for removal of oxidative DNA base lesions is base excision repair, which is initiated by DNA glycosylases. In mice, Neil3 is the main DNA glycosylase for repair of hydantoin lesions in single-stranded DNA of neural stem/progenitor cells, promoting neurogenesis. Adult neurogenesis is crucial for maintenance of hippocampus-dependent functions involved in behavior. Herein, behavioral studies reveal learning and memory deficits and reduced anxiety-like behavior in Neil3−/− mice. Neural stem/progenitor cells from aged Neil3−/− mice show impaired proliferative capacity and reduced DNA repair activity. Furthermore, hippocampal neurons in Neil3−/− mice display synaptic irregularities. It appears that Neil3-dependent repair of oxidative DNA damage in neural stem/progenitor cells is required for maintenance of adult neurogenesis to counteract the age-associated deterioration of cognitive performance

OXR1A, a Coactivator of PRMT5 Regulating Histone Arginine Methylation

Oxidation resistance gene 1 (OXR1) protects cells against oxidative stress. We find that male mice with brain-specific isoform A knockout (Oxr1A−/−) develop fatty liver. RNA sequencing of male Oxr1A−/− liver indicates decreased growth hormone (GH) signaling, which is known to affect liver metabolism. Indeed, Gh expression is reduced in male mice Oxr1A−/− pituitary gland and in rat Oxr1A−/− pituitary adenoma cell-line GH3. Oxr1A−/− male mice show reduced fasting-blood GH levels. Pull-down and proximity ligation assays reveal that OXR1A is associated with arginine methyl transferase PRMT5. OXR1A-depleted GH3 cells show reduced symmetrical dimethylation of histone H3 arginine 2 (H3R2me2s), a product of PRMT5 catalyzed methylation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of H3R2me2s shows reduced Gh promoter enrichment. Finally, we demonstrate with purified proteins that OXR1A stimulates PRMT5/MEP50-catalyzed H3R2me2s. Our data suggest that OXR1A is a coactivator of PRMT5, regulating histone arginine methylation and thereby GH production within the pituitary gland.publishedVersio

What work has to be done to implement collaborative care for depression? Process evaluation of a trial utilizing the Normalization Process Model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is a considerable evidence base for 'collaborative care' as a method to improve quality of care for depression, but an acknowledged gap between efficacy and implementation. This study utilises the Normalisation Process Model (NPM) to inform the process of implementation of collaborative care in both a future full-scale trial, and the wider health economy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Application of the NPM to qualitative data collected in both focus groups and one-to-one interviews before and after an exploratory randomised controlled trial of a collaborative model of care for depression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Findings are presented as they relate to the four factors of the NPM (interactional workability, relational integration, skill-set workability, and contextual integration) and a number of necessary tasks are identified. Using the model, it was possible to observe that predictions about necessary work to implement collaborative care that could be made from analysis of the pre-trial data relating to the four different factors of the NPM were indeed borne out in the post-trial data. However, additional insights were gained from the post-trial interview participants who, unlike those interviewed before the trial, had direct experience of a novel intervention. The professional freedom enjoyed by more senior mental health workers may work both for and against normalisation of collaborative care as those who wish to adopt new ways of working have the freedom to change their practice but are not obliged to do so.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The NPM provides a useful structure for both guiding and analysing the process by which an intervention is optimized for testing in a larger scale trial or for subsequent full-scale implementation.</p

Shaping Arctic’s Tomorrow through Indigenous Knowledge Engagement and Knowledge Co-Production

This perspective presents a statement of the 10th International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences Indigenous Knowledge and knowledge co-production panel and discussion group, 20 July 2021. The statement is designed to serve as a characterization of the state-of-the-art and guidance for further advancement of Indigenous Knowledge and knowledge co-production in the Arctic. It identifies existing challenges and provides specific recommendations for researchers, Indigenous communities, and funding agencies on meaningful recognition and engagement of Indigenous Knowledge systems

Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and traffic noise and incident hypertension in seven cohorts of the European study of cohorts for air pollution effects (ESCAPE)

We investigated whether traffic-related air pollution and noise are associated with incident hypertension in European cohorts.; We included seven cohorts of the European study of cohorts for air pollution effects (ESCAPE). We modelled concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5), ≤10 µm (PM10), &gt;2.5, and ≤10 µm (PMcoarse), soot (PM2.5 absorbance), and nitrogen oxides at the addresses of participants with land use regression. Residential exposure to traffic noise was modelled at the facade according to the EU Directive 2002/49/EC. We assessed hypertension as (i) self-reported and (ii) measured (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or intake of BP lowering medication (BPLM). We used Poisson regression with robust variance estimation to analyse associations of traffic-related exposures with incidence of hypertension, controlling for relevant confounders, and combined the results from individual studies with random-effects meta-analysis. Among 41 072 participants free of self-reported hypertension at baseline, 6207 (15.1%) incident cases occurred within 5-9 years of follow-up. Incidence of self-reported hypertension was positively associated with PM2.5 (relative risk (RR) 1.22 [95%-confidence interval (CI):1.08; 1.37] per 5 µg/m³) and PM2.5 absorbance (RR 1.13 [95% CI:1.02; 1.24] per 10 - 5m - 1). These estimates decreased slightly upon adjustment for road traffic noise. Road traffic noise was weakly positively associated with the incidence of self-reported hypertension. Among 10 896 participants at risk, 3549 new cases of measured hypertension occurred. We found no clear associations with measured hypertension.; Long-term residential exposures to air pollution and noise are associated with increased incidence of self-reported hypertension

Impact of oxidative DNA damage and the role of DNA glycosylases in neurological dysfunction

The human brain requires a high rate of oxygen consumption to perform intense metabolic activities, accounting for 20% of total body oxygen consumption. This high oxygen uptake results in the generation of free radicals, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which, at physiological levels, are beneficial to the proper functioning of fundamental cellular processes. At supraphysiological levels, however, ROS and associated lesions cause detrimental effects in brain cells, commonly observed in several neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we focus on the impact of oxidative DNA base lesions and the role of DNA glycosylase enzymes repairing these lesions on brain function and disease. Furthermore, we discuss the role of DNA base oxidation as an epigenetic mechanism involved in brain diseases, as well as potential roles of DNA glycosylases in different epigenetic contexts. We provide a detailed overview of the impact of DNA glycosylases on brain metabolism, cognition, inflammation, tissue loss and regeneration, and age-related neurodegenerative diseases based on evidence collected from animal and human models lacking these enzymes, as well as post-mortem studies on patients with neurological disorders

Quadrigeminal cyst management by cystoperitoneal shunt in a 4-year-old Persian cat

Quadrigeminal cysts represent intracranial cystic accumulations of cerebrospinal fluid within the arachnoid mater at the level of the quadrigeminal cistern. Quadrigeminal cysts are rare in cats, with only one previous report in the veterinary literature. A 4-year-old, male-neutered Persian cat was presented with a 1-year duration of initially episodic, but later progressive, obtundation and collapse. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a quadrigeminal cyst with marked compression of the adjacent neural structures, cerebellar herniation and obstructive hydrocephalus. Cystoperitoneal shunt placement was performed after the cat became refractory to medical therapy and this resulted in return of normal neurological status. The improvement in the neurological deficits following placement of a cystoperitoneal shunt in this case appeared to be correlated with resolution of the secondary effects (in particular the obstructive hydrocephalus) rather than resolution of the quadrigeminal cyst. Cystoperitoneal shunt placement was an effective long-term treatment option for the management of the quadrigeminal cyst in this cat

No cancer predisposition or increased spontaneous mutation frequencies in NEIL DNA glycosylases-deficient mice

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