Nonlinear brain correlates of trait self-boundarylessness

Alterations of the sense of self induced by meditation include an increased sense of boundarylessness. In this study, we investigatedbehavioural and functional magnetic resonance imaging correlates of trait self-boundarylessness during resting state and the performanceof two experimental tasks. We found that boundarylessness correlated with greater self-endorsement of words related to fluidityand with longer response times in a math task. Boundarylessness also correlated negatively with brain activity in the posterior cingulatecortex/precuneus during mind-wandering compared to a task targeting a minimal sense of self. Interestingly, boundarylessnessshowed quadratic relations to several measures. Participants reporting low or high boundarylessness, as compared to those in between,showed higher functional connectivity within the default mode network during rest, less brain activity in the medial prefrontal cortexduring self-referential word processing, and less self-endorsement of words related to constancy. We relate these results to our previousfindings of a quadratic relation between boundarylessness and the sense of perspectival ownership of experience. Additionally,an instruction to direct attention to the centre of experience elicited brain activation similar to that of meditation onset, includingincreases in anterior precentral gyrus and anterior insula and decreases in default mode network areas, for both non-meditators andexperienced meditators

The effect of vertical ocean mixing on the tropical Atlantic in a coupled global climate model

Sea surface temperature (SST) biases in the tropical Atlantic are a long-standing problem among coupled global climate models (CGCMs). They occur in equilibrated state, as well as in initialised seasonal to decadal simulations. The bias is typically characterised by too high SST in upwelling regions and associated errors of wind and precipitation. We examine the SST bias in the state-of-the-art CGCM EC-Earth by means of an upper ocean heat budget analysis. Horizontal advection processes affect the SST bias development only to a small extent, and surface heat fluxes mostly dampen the warm bias. Subgrid-scale upper ocean vertical mixing is too low in EC-Earth when compared to estimates from reanalysis data, potentially giving rise to the warm bias. We perform sensitivity experiments to examine the effect of enhanced vertical mixing on the SST bias in quasi equilibrium present day climate and its impact on projected climate change. Enhanced mixing in historical simulation mode (MixUp pr) reduces the SST bias in the tropical Atlantic compared to the control experiment (Control pr). Associated atmospheric biases of precipitation and surface winds are also reduced in MixUp pr. We further perform climate projections under the RCP8.5 emission scenario (Control fu and MixUp fu). Under increasing greenhouse gas forcing, the tropical Atlantic warms by up to 4.5∘C locally, and maritime precipitation increases in boreal winter and spring. We show that the vertical mixing parameterisation influences future climate. In MixUp fu, SSTs remain 0.5∘C colder in boreal winter and spring, but increase with the same amplitude in summer and fall. The strength and location of the projected intertropical convergence zone also depends on the ocean vertical mixing efficiency. The rain band moves southward in summer, and its strength increases in winter in MixUp fu as compared to Control fu.</p

A neurophenomenological fMRI study of a spontaneous automatic writer and a hypnotic cohort

Purpose: To evaluate the neurophenomenology of automatic writing (AW) in a spontaneous automatic writer (NN) and four high hypnotizables (HH). Methods: During fMRI, NN and the HH were cued to perform sponta- neous (NN) or induced (HH) AW, and a comparison task of copying complex symbols, and to rate their expe- rience of control and agency. Results: Compared to copying, for all participants AW was associated with less sense of control and agency and decreased BOLD signal responses in brain regions implicated in the sense of agency (left premotor cortex and insula, right premotor cortex, and supplemental motor area), and increased BOLD signal responses in the left and right temporoparietal junctions and the occipital lobes. During AW, the HH differed from NN in widespread BOLD decreases across the brain and increases in frontal and parietal regions. Conclusions: Spontaneous and induced AW had similar effects on agency, but only partly overlapping effects on cortical activity

Mise au point et évaluation des guides de coupe patient spécifique pour la mise en place des prothèses de genou (étude cadavérique)

L alignement frontal des prothèses totales de genou (PTG) semble être un élément majeur sur la survie des implants et sur la fonction du genou. Les guides de coupe patient spécifique (GPS) ont été introduits afin d améliorer la capacité à atteindre un axe mécanique post opératoire neutre. En comparaison à une pose de PTG avec un ancillaire standard (AS), les GPS permettent d améliorer l alignement des membres inférieurs et de diminuer le temps opératoire. 33 membres inférieurs ont été prélevés sur 17 cadavres. Un scanner pré opératoire de chaque membre inférieur a été effectué permettant, de mesurer les angles HKA, AMF et AMT, et de planifier la PTG afin de modéliser les GPS. 17 PTG ont été réalisées avec un GPS, 16 avec un AS. L alignement frontal des PTG en post opératoire était mesuré avec l aide d un scanner. Pour chaque intervention le temps opératoire était noté. En pré opératoire 66,7% (22/33) des membres inférieurs était en varus, 27,3% (9/33) en valgus et 6% (2/33) normo axé, il n y avait pas de différence significative entre les groupes. En post opératoire : l alignement des PTG était compris entre 177 et 183 pour 81,25% (13/16) dans le groupe AS et 76,47% (13/17) dans le groupe GPS. L HKA moyen pour le groupe AS était à 179,1 (2,45) et pour le groupe GPS à 178 (2,18), sans différence significative entre les deux groupes (p-Value : 0,17). Seul le temps opératoire était significativement plus faible pour le groupe GPS avec une médiane à 43 minutes [35-47] contre 50 minutes [43-62,5] pour le groupe AS. Dans cette étude la pose de PTG avec GPS n est pas supérieure concernant l alignement des PTG mais permet une diminution du temps opératoire.Coronal alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), seems to be a major factor in the survivorship of the components and in the functional outcome. The Patient Specific Guides (PSG), based on 3 D imaging, had been introduced in surgical process in order to improve accuracy in TKA, and to reach post operative neutral mechanical alignment. Compared with standard instrumentation (SI), PSG can improve the coronal alignment of the TKA and decrease the operative time. Thirty-three lower limbs have been taken from seventeen cadavers. A pre operative CT scan of each lower limb has been realized in order to measure: HKA angle, MFA and MTA, and to plan the TKA for shaping the PSG. 17 TKAs have been implanted with PSG, 16 with SI. Post operatively, a further CT scan has been used to make the measures to compare the two groups. Per operatively, operative time and positioning of PSG have been reported. Pre operatively, 66,7% (22/33) of the lower limbs were in varus, 27,3% (9/33) were in valgus and 6% (2/33) were in neutral alignment, there was no significant difference between the groups. Post operatively, the overall mechanical alignment was between 177 and 183 for 81,25% (13/16) in SI group, and 76,47% (13/17) in PSG group. The mean HKA in SI was 179,1 (+-2,45), and 178 (+-2,18) in PSG group, there was no significant difference between the group (p-Value: 0,17). Only the operative time was significantly lower in PSG group with a median of 43 minutes [35-47] for 50 minutes [43-62,5] in SI group. In our study, PSG did not demonstrate a superiority regarding the coronal mechanical alignment comparing with SI in TKA. But the use of PSG process can reduce the operative time.GRENOBLE1-BU Médecine pharm. (385162101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Reaching out to early-career astrobiologists: AbGradE's actions and perspectives

Astrobiology Graduates in Europe (AbGradE, pronounced ab-grad-ee) is an association of early-career scientists working in fields relevant to astrobiological research. Conceptualized in 2013, it was initially designed as a mini-conference or workshop dedicated to early-career researchers, providing a friendly environment where early-career minds would be able to present their research without being intimidated by the possibility of facing a more traditional audience, composed mainly of senior scientists. Within the last couple of years, AbGradE became the first point of call for European, but also for an increasing number of non-European, early-career astrobiologists. This article aims to present how AbGradE has evolved over the years (in its structure and in its way of organizing events), how it has adapted with the COVID-19 pandemic, and what future developments are considered

Secreted Klotho and FGF23 in chronic kidney disease Stage 1 to 5: a sequence suggested from a cross-sectional study

Background Klotho and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) are key regulators of mineral metabolism in renal insufficiency. FGF23 levels have been shown to increase early in chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the corresponding soluble Klotho levels at the different CKD stages are not known. Methods Soluble Klotho, FGF23, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25D) and other parameters of mineral metabolism were measured in an observational cross-sectional study in 87 patients. Locally weighted scatter plot smoothing function of these parameters were plotted versus estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to illustrate the pattern of the relationship. Linear and non-linear regression analyses were performed to estimate changes in mineral metabolism parameters per 1mL/min/1.73 m2 decline. Results In CKD 1-5, Klotho and 1,25D linearly decreased, whereas both FGF23 and PTH showed a baseline at early CKD stages and then a curvilinear increase. Crude mean Klotho level declined by 4.8 pg/mL (95% CI 3.5-6.2 pg/mL, P < 0.0001) and 1,25D levels by 0.30 ng/L (95% CI 0.18-0.41 ng/L, P < 0.0001) as GFR declined by 1 mL/min/1.73 m2. After adjustment for age, gender, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and concomitant medications (calcium, supplemental vitamin D and calcitriol), we estimated that the mean Klotho change was 3.2 pg/mL (95% CI 1.2-5.2 pg/mL, P = 0.0019) for each 1 mL/min/1.73 m2 GFR change. FGF23 departed from the baseline at an eGFR of 47 mL/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI 39-56 mL/min/1.73 m2), whereas PTH departed at an eGFR of 34 mL/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI 19-50 mL/min/1.73 m2). Conclusions Soluble Klotho and 1,25D levels decrease and FGF23 levels increase at early CKD stages, whereas PTH levels increase at more advanced CKD stage

Usability of rectal swabs for microbiome sampling in a cohort study of hematological and oncological patients

Objectives Large-scale clinical studies investigating associations between intestinal microbiota signatures and human diseases usually rely on stool samples. However, the timing of repeated stool sample collection cannot be predefined in longitudinal settings. Rectal swabs, being straightforward to obtain, have the potential to overcome this drawback. Therefore, we assessed the usability of rectal swabs for microbiome sampling in a cohort of hematological and oncological patients. Study design We used a pipeline for intestinal microbiota analysis from deep rectal swabs which was established and validated with test samples and negative controls. Consecutively, a cohort of patients from hematology and oncology wards was established and weekly deep rectal swabs taken during their admissions and re-admissions. Results Validation of our newly developed pipeline for intestinal microbiota analysis from rectal swabs revealed consistent and reproducible results. Over a period of nine months, 418 rectal swabs were collected longitudinally from 41 patients. Adherence to the intended sampling protocol was 97%. After DNA extraction, sequencing, read pre-processing and filtering of chimeric sequences, 405 of 418 samples (96.9%) were eligible for further analyses. Follow-up samples and those taken under current antibiotic exposure showed a significant decrease in alpha diversity as compared to baseline samples. Microbial domination occurred most frequently by Enterococcaceae (99 samples, 24.4%) on family level and Enterococcus (90 samples, 22.2%) on genus level. Furthermore, we noticed a high abundance of potential skin commensals in 99 samples (24.4%). Summary Deep rectal swabs were shown to be reliable for microbiome sampling and analysis, with practical advantages related to high sampling adherence, easy timing, transport and storage. The relatively high abundance of putative skin commensals in this patient cohort may be of potential interest and should be further investigated. Generally, previous findings on alpha diversity dynamics obtained from stool samples were confirmed

Esipuhe - A note from the editors

&nbsp;Mikaelin 17:1 esipuheA note from the editors of Mikael 17: