Action perception is intact in autism spectrum disorder

Date of Acceptance:10/11/2014. Copyright © 2015 the authors 0270-6474/15/351849-09$15.00/0. Copyright of all material published in The Journal of Neuroscience remains with the authors. The authors grant the Society for Neuroscience an exclusive license to publish their work for the first 6 months. After 6 months the work becomes available to the public to copy, distribute, or display under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Mutational Analysis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy that is associated with a poor prognosis. The pathogenesis of MCC is not well understood, and despite a recent plethora of mutational analyses, we have yet to find a set of signature mutations implicated in the majority of cases. Mutations, including TP53, Retinoblastoma and PIK3CA, have been documented in subsets of patients. Other mechanisms are also likely at play, including infection with the Merkel cell polyomavirus in a subset of patients, dysregulated immune surveillance, epigenetic alterations, aberrant protein expression, posttranslational modifications and microRNAs. In this review, we summarize what is known about MCC genetic mutations and chromosomal abnormalities, and their clinical significance. We also examine aberrant protein function and microRNA expression, and discuss the therapeutic and prognostic implications of these findings. Multiple clinical trials designed to selectively target overexpressed oncogenes in MCC are currently underway, though most are still in early phases. As we accumulate more molecular data on MCC, we will be better able to understand its pathogenic mechanisms, develop libraries of targeted therapies, and define molecular prognostic signatures to enhance our clinicopathologic knowledge

An analysis of demand for U.S. winter pears in export markets

The principal objective of this study was to identify and investigate the underlying basis for variations in the volumes of exports of U.S. winter pears during the 1947 to 1974 period. A number of factors thought to be of importance in the determination of the volume of exports of a specific commodity were hypothesized with reference to a two-region partial equilibrium model of trade; these factors were;the price of the exported commodity, the supply of the commodity of interest in importing countries, the prices of substitute commodities, consumer income, population and the general price level in importing countries, transportation costs in international trade, import restrictions against the commodity of interest, and fluctuations in exchange rates between the currency of the exporting country and the currencies of importing countries. The theoretical model was reformulated in terms of empirical models of demand for U.S. winter pears in specific export markets. The empirical analysis focused upon the effects on season export volumes of changes in prices of U.S. winter pears, changes in consumer income, changes in levels of pear production in consuming areas, and changes in the international trade policies of important importing countries. The results suggested that changes in the international trade policies of important importing countries and changes in the production levels of pears in consuming regions have been of principal importance in the determination of volumes of export sales of U.S. winter pears. In general, inverse relationships between prices and export volumes of U.S. winter pears were not found. However, an analysis of factors affecting U.S. winter pear prices suggested that fluctuations in demand for exports have significantly influenced season average f.o.b. prices of U.S. winter pears during the 1950 to 1974 period. Important factors influencing domestic demand were found to be the supply of fresh U.S. apples, the supply of fresh Bartlett pears after October 1st, and changes in consumer income. It was concluded that past unstable and uncertain conditions in export markets will continue into the future because of annual fluctuations in levels of pear production in foreign countries and because of unpredictable changes in import restrictions against U.S. winter pears in foreign countries

Zephyr: The Thirteenth Issue

This is the thirteenth issue of Zephyr, the University of New England\u27s journal of creative expression. Since 2000, Zephyr has published original drawings, paintings, photography, prose, and verse created by current and former members of the University community. Zephyr\u27s Editorial Board is made up exclusively of matriculating students.https://dune.une.edu/zephyr/1012/thumbnail.jp

Control of inducible chemoresistance: Enhanced anti-tumor therapy through increased apoptosis by inhibition of NF-κB

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) seems to be the principal mechanism whereby anti-oncogenic therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation effect their responses. Resistance to apoptosis, therefore, is probably a principal mechanism whereby tumors are able to overcome these cancer therapies. The transcription factor NF-κB is activated by chemotherapy and by irradiation in some cancer cell lines. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-κB in vitro leads to enhanced apoptosis in response to a variety of different stimuli. We show here that inhibition of NF-κB through the adenoviral delivery of a modified form of IκBα, the inhibitor of NF-κB, sensitizes chemoresistant tumors to the apoptotic potential of TNFκ and of the chemotherapeutic compound CPT-11, resulting in tumor regression. These results demonstrate that the activation of NF-κB in response to chemotherapy is a principal mechanism of inducible tumor chemoresistance, and establish the inhibition of NF-κB as a new approach to adjuvant therapy in cancer treatment

Economic analysis of early intervention for autistic children: findings from four case studies in England, Ireland, Italy and Spain

Background: Many autistic children experience difficulties in their communication and language skills development, with consequences for ’social development into adulthood, often resulting in challenges over the life-course and high economic impacts for individuals, families and society. The PACT (Preschool-Autism-Communication-Trial) intervention is effective in terms of improved social communication and some secondary outcomes. A previously published within-trial economic analysis found that results at 13 months did not support its cost-effectiveness. We modelled cost-effectiveness over 6 years and across four European countries. Methods: Using simulation modelling, we built on economic analyses in the original trial, exploring longer-term cost-effectiveness at 6 years (in England). We adapted our model to undertake an economic analysis of PACT in Ireland, Italy and Spain. Data on resource use were taken from the original trial and a more recent Irish observational study. Results: PACT is cost-saving over time from a societal perspective, even though we confirmed that, at 13 months post-delivery, PACT is more expensive than usual treatment (across all countries) when given to preschool autistic children. After 6 years, we found that PACT has lower costs than usual treatment in terms of unpaid care provided by parents (in all countries). Also, if we consider only out-of-pocket expenses from an Irish study, PACT costs less than usual treatment. Discussion: PACT may be recommended as a cost-saving early intervention for families with an autistic child

Zephyr: The Fourteenth Issue

This is the fourteenth issue of Zephyr, the University of New England\u27s journal of creative expression. Since 2000, Zephyr has published original drawings, paintings, photography, prose, and verse created by current and former members of the University community. Zephyr\u27s Editorial Board is made up exclusively of matriculating students.https://dune.une.edu/zephyr/1013/thumbnail.jp

Oregon's agricultural industry

Published June 1972. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Role of carbonate burial in Blue Carbon budgets

Calcium carbonates (CaCO3) often accumulate in mangrove and seagrass sediments. As CaCO3 production emits CO2, there is concern that this may partially offset the role of Blue Carbon ecosystems as CO2sinks through the burial of organic carbon (Corg). A global collection of data on inorganic carbon burial rates (Cinorg, 12% of CaCO3 mass) revealed global rates of 0.8 TgCinorg yr−1 and 15–62 TgCinorg yr−1 in mangrove and seagrass ecosystems, respectively. In seagrass, CaCO3burial may correspond to an offset of 30% of the net CO2 sequestration. However, a mass balance assessment highlights that the Cinorg burial is mainly supported by inputs from adjacent ecosystems rather than by local calcification, and that Blue Carbon ecosystems are sites of net CaCO3 dissolution. Hence, CaCO3 burial in Blue Carbon ecosystems contribute to seabed elevation and therefore buffers sea-level rise, without undermining their role as CO2 sinks

Autism with co-occurring epilepsy care pathway in Europe

Background: Autism and epilepsy often occur together. Epilepsy and other associated conditions have a substantial impact on the well-being of autistic people and their families, reduce quality of life and increase premature mortality. Despite this, there is a lack of studies investigating the care pathway of autistic children with co-occurring epilepsy in Europe. Methods: We analyzed the care pathway for autistic children with associated epilepsy in Italy, Spain and the UK from the perspective of caregivers (using a survey aimed at caregivers of autistic children 0-18 years old), the autistic community and professionals, in order to identify major barriers preventing caregivers and autistic children from receiving timely screening and treatment of possible co-occurring epilepsy. Results: Across all three countries, analysis of the current care pathway showed a lack of systematic screening of epilepsy in all autistic children, delayed treatment of epilepsy in autistic children after diagnosis, lack of treatment of co-occurring epilepsy and incorrect use of antiepileptic drugs. A major challenge is the lack of evidence-based harmonized guidelines for autism with co-occurring epilepsy in these countries. Conclusions: Our findings show both heterogeneity and major gaps in the care pathway for autism with associated epilepsy and the great efforts that caregivers must make for timely screening, diagnosis and adequate management of epilepsy in autistic children. We call for policy harmonization in Europe in order to improve the experiences and quality of life of autistic people and their families