Role of CD56 in Normal Kidney Development and Wilms Tumorigenesis

The cell-surface glycoprotein CD56 has three major isoforms that play important roles in cell adhesion and signaling, which may promote cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, or migration. It is an important molecule in normal kidney development and acts as a key marker in Wilms tumor stem and progenitor cells. Here, we review the structural and genetic features of the CD56 glycoprotein, and summarize its roles in the normal versus diseased metanephric blastema. We discuss areas of CD56-related research that may complement or improve existing Wilms tumor treatment strategies, including the antibody-drug conjugate lorvotuzumab mertansine that binds to CD56

A genome-wide investigation of the worldwide invader Sargassum muticum shows high success albeit (almost) no genetic diversity

Twenty years of genetic studies of marine invaders have shown that successful invaders are often characterized by native and introduced populations displaying similar levels of genetic diversity. This pattern is presumably due to high propagule pressure and repeated introductions. The opposite pattern is reported in this study of the brown seaweed, Sargassum muticum, an emblematic species for circumglobal invasions. Albeit demonstrating polymorphism in the native range, microsatellites failed to detect any genetic variation over 1,269 individuals sampled from 46 locations over the Pacific-Atlantic introduction range. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from ddRAD sequencing revealed some genetic variation, but confirmed severe founder events in both the Pacific and Atlantic introduction ranges. Our study thus exemplifies the need for extreme caution in interpreting neutral genetic diversity as a proxy for invasive potential. Our results confirm a previously hypothesized transoceanic secondary introduction from NE Pacific to Europe. However, the SNP panel unexpectedly revealed two additional distinct genetic origins of introductions. Also, conversely to scenarios based on historical records, southern rather than northern NE Pacific populations could have seeded most of the European populations. Finally, the most recently introduced populations showed the lowest selfing rates, suggesting higher levels of recombination might be beneficial at the early stage of the introduction process (i.e., facilitating evolutionary novelties), whereas uniparental reproduction might be favored later in sustainably established populations (i.e., sustaining local adaptation).Agence Nationale de la Recherche - ANR-10-BTBR-04; European Regional Development Fund; Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia - SFRH/BPD/107878/2015, UID/Multi/04326/2016, UID/Multi/04326/2019; Brittany Region;info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Demonstration of a Quantum Gate using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency

We demonstrate a native $\mathrm{CNOT}$ gate between two individually addressed neutral atoms based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). This protocol utilizes the strong long-range interactions of Rydberg states to enable conditional state transfer on the target qubit when operated in the blockade regime. An advantage of this scheme is it enables implementation of multi-qubit CNOT$^k$ gates using a pulse sequence independent of qubit number, and provides an simple gate for efficient implementation of quantum algorithms and error correction. We achieve a loss corrected gate fidelity of $\mathcal{F}_\mathrm{CNOT}^\mathrm{cor} = 0.82(6)$, and prepare an entangled Bell-state with $\mathcal{F}_\mathrm{Bell}^\mathrm{cor} = 0.66(5)$, limited at present by laser power. We present a number of technical improvements to advance this to a level required for fault-tolerant scaling.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures plus Supplementary Materia

Cultural adaptation and psychometric testing of The Scenario Test UK for people with aphasia

BACKGROUND: This study explores the psychometric properties of The Scenario Test UK, a culturally adapted version of the Dutch original (The Scenario Test) developed by van der Meulen et al. in 2010, which evaluates functional, daily-life communication in aphasia. The Scenario Test assesses communication in an interactive context with a supportive communication partner. AIMS: To evaluate the reliability (internal consistency, interrater and test-retest reliability) and construct validity (convergent, discriminant and known-groups validity) of The Scenario Test UK. METHODS & PROCEDURES: The Scenario Test UK and other language, cognition and praxis assessments were administered to persons with aphasia after stroke (3+ months post-stroke) and to non-aphasic controls. Participants were recruited primarily through community stroke groups. Measures were completed in an interview format. Standard psychometric criteria were used to evaluate reliability and construct validity. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: A total of 74 participants with aphasia and 20 participants without aphasia took part in The Scenario Test UK. The test showed high levels of reliability. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.92), interrater reliability (ICC = 0.95) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.96) were excellent. Interrater agreement in scores on the individual items ranged from good to excellent (κ = 0.41-1.00) for all but two items (item 4c κ = 0.38, item 6c κ = 0.36). The test demonstrated good levels of convergent (ρ = 0.37-0.75) and discriminant validity (ρ = -0.04 to 0.23). There was strong evidence for known groups validity (U = 132.50, p < .001), with those with aphasia scoring significantly lower [median (interquartile range-IQR) = 47 (39.8-51.0)] than those without aphasia [53 (52-54)]. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The data support the reliability and validity of the Scenario Test UK as an assessment of functional, daily-life communication for persons with aphasia. Further testing is needed in independent samples on the measure's psychometric properties, including its sensitivity to change. Pending this testing, The test can be used as an assessment tool to evaluate communication skills with people with aphasia, to guide goal setting for therapy and to measure outcomes in response to therapy

Increasing the intensity and comprehensiveness of aphasia services: identification of key factors influencing implementation across six countries

Background: Aphasia services are currently faced by increasing evidence for therapy of greater intensity and comprehensiveness. Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs) combine these elements in an evidence-based, time-limited group program. The incorporation of new service delivery models in routine clinical practice is, however, likely to pose challenges for both the service provider and administering clinicians. This program of research aims to identify these challenges from the perspective of aphasia clinicians from six countries and will seek to trial potential solutions. Continual advancements in global communication technologies suggest that solutions will be easily shared and accessed across multiple countries. Aims: To identify the perceived and experienced barriers and facilitators to the implementation of 1) intensive aphasia services, 2) comprehensive aphasia services, and 3) ICAPs, from aphasia clinicians across six countries. Methods and procedures: A qualitative enquiry approach included data from six focus groups (n = 34 participants) in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), and Ireland. A thematic analysis of focus group data was informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Outcomes and results: Five prominent theoretical domains from the TDF influenced the implementation of all three aphasia service types across participating countries: environmental context and resources, beliefs about consequences, social/professional role and identity, skills, and knowledge. Four overarching themes assisted the identification and explanation of the key barriers and facilitators: 1. Collaboration, joint initiatives and partnerships, 2. Advocacy, the promotion of aphasia services and evidence-based practice, 3. Innovation, the ability to problem solve challenges, and 4. Culture, the influence of underlying values. Conclusions: The results of this study will inform the development of a theoretically informed intervention to improve health services’ adherence to aphasia best practice recommendations

Precis of epistemic angst:Book Symposium: Duncan Pritchard, Epistemic Angst (Princeton University Press, 2015, xiii + 236 pages)

ABSTRACT This book symposium features three critical pieces dealing with Duncan Pritchard's book, 'Epistemic Angst'; the symposium also contains Pritchard's replies to his critics

European wildcat populations are subdivided into five main biogeographic groups: consequences of Pleistocene climate changes or recent anthropogenic fragmentation?

Extant populations of the European wildcat are fragmented across the continent, the likely consequence of recent extirpations due to habitat loss and over-hunting. However, their underlying phylogeographic history has never been reconstructed. For testing the hypothesis that the European wildcat survived the Ice Age fragmented in Mediterranean refuges, we assayed the genetic variation at 31 microsatellites in 668 presumptive European wildcats sampled in 15 European countries. Moreover, to evaluate the extent of subspecies/population divergence and identify eventual wild × domestic cat hybrids, we genotyped 26 African wildcats from Sardinia and North Africa and 294 random-bred domestic cats. Results of multivariate analyses and Bayesian clustering confirmed that the European wild and the domestic cats (plus the African wildcats) belong to two well-differentiated clusters (average Ф ST = 0.159, r st = 0.392, P &gt; 0.001; Analysis of molecular variance [AMOVA]). We identified from c. 5% to 10% cryptic hybrids in southern and central European populations. In contrast, wild-living cats in Hungary and Scotland showed deep signatures of genetic admixture and introgression with domestic cats. The European wildcats are subdivided into five main genetic clusters (average Ф ST = 0.103, r st = 0.143, P &gt; 0.001; AMOVA) corresponding to five biogeographic groups, respectively, distributed in the Iberian Peninsula, central Europe, central Germany, Italian Peninsula and the island of Sicily, and in north-eastern Italy and northern Balkan regions (Dinaric Alps). Approximate Bayesian Computation simulations supported late Pleistocene-early Holocene population splittings (from c. 60 k to 10 k years ago), contemporary to the last Ice Age climatic changes. These results provide evidences for wildcat Mediterranean refuges in southwestern Europe, but the evolution history of eastern wildcat populations remains to be clarified. Historical genetic subdivisions suggest conservation strategies aimed at enhancing gene flow through the restoration of ecological corridors within each biogeographic units. Concomitantly, the risk of hybridization with free-ranging domestic cats along corridor edges should be carefully monitored