Narcissism and the strategic pursuit of short-term mating : universal links across 11 world regions of the International Sexuality Description Project-2.

Previous studies have documented links between sub-clinical narcissism and the active pursuit of short-term mating strategies (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality, marital infidelity, mate poaching). Nearly all of these investigations have relied solely on samples from Western cultures. In the current study, responses from a cross-cultural survey of 30,470 people across 53 nations spanning 11 world regions (North America, Central/South America, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and East Asia) were used to evaluate whether narcissism (as measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory; NPI) was universally associated with short-term mating. Results revealed narcissism scores (including two broad factors and seven traditional facets as measured by the NPI) were functionally equivalent across cultures, reliably associating with key sexual outcomes (e.g., more active pursuit of short-term mating, intimate partner violence, and sexual aggression) and sex-related personality traits (e.g., higher extraversion and openness to experience). Whereas some features of personality (e.g., subjective well-being) were universally associated with socially adaptive facets of Narcissism (e.g., self-sufficiency), most indicators of short-term mating (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality and marital infidelity) were universally associated with the socially maladaptive facets of narcissism (e.g., exploitativeness). Discussion addresses limitations of these cross-culturally universal findings and presents suggestions for future research into revealing the precise psychological features of narcissism that facilitate the strategic pursuit of short-term mating

Narcisismo y búsqueda estratégica del emparejamiento a corto plazo a través de las culturas: Enlaces omnipresentes a través de 11 regiones mundiales del Proyecto de la descripción de la sexualidad internacional 2

Previous studies have documented links between sub-clinical narcissism and the active pursuit of short-term mating strategies (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality, marital infidelity, mate poaching). Nearly all of these investigations have relied solely on samples from Western cultures. In the current study, responses from a cross-cultural survey of 30,470 people across 53 nations spanning 11 world regions (North America, Central/South America, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and East Asia) were used to evaluate whether narcissism (as measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory; NPI) was universally associated with short-term mating. Results revealed narcissism scores (including two broad factors and seven traditional facets as measured by the NPI) were functionally equivalent across cultures, reliably associating with key sexual outcomes (e.g., more active pursuit of short-term mating, intimate partner violence, and sexual aggression) and sex-related personality traits (e.g., higher extraversion and openness to experience). Whereas some features of personality (e.g., subjective well-being) were universally associated with socially adaptive facets of Narcissism (e.g., self-sufficiency), most indicators of short-term mating (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality and marital infidelity) were universally associated with the socially maladaptive facets of narcissism (e.g., exploitativeness). Discussion addresses limitations of these cross-culturally universal findings and presents suggestions for future research into revealing the precise psychological features of narcissism that facilitate the strategic pursuit of short-term mating.Estudios previos, en primer lugar a través de las muestras de culturas occidentales, han documentado asociaciones sistemáticas del narcisismo subclínico con múltiples indicadores de estrategias del emparejamiento a corto plazo (p. ej. sociosexualidad ilimitada, infidelidad, caza de pareja). En este estudio se han usado respuestas de la encuesta transcultural de 30.470 personas de 53 naciones de 11 regiones mundiales (América del Norte, América del Sur/América Central, Europa del Norte, Europa del Oeste, Europa del Este, Europa del Sur, Oriente Próximo, África, Asia del Sur/Sudoeste de Asia, Asia del Este y Oceanía) para evaluar si el narcisismo (medido por el Inventario de Personalidad Narcisista; NPI) se asocia panuniversalmente con los indicadores del emparejamiento a corto plazo, tanto en la dirección, como en la intensidad. Los resultados sugieren que el narcisismo (incluidos muchos aspectos suyos medidos por el NPI) tiene las mismas asociaciones básicas con los rasgos de personalidad relacionados con el sexo (p. ej. extraversión alta) y con los resultados sexuales claves (p. ej. búsqueda más activa de las estrategias del emparejamiento a corto plazo) a través de las 11 mayores regiones mundiales del PDSI 2. La discusión se enfoca en las implicaciones y limitaciones del estudio actual

Defined tropomyosin filament populations regulate sensitivity to apoptosis

The actin cytoskeleton acts as both a sensor and mediator of programmed cell death known as apoptosis. Tropomyosins (Tpm) are a family of actin binding proteins that regulate numerous actin functions and limited studies demonstrate a role for defined tropomyosin isoforms in regulating apoptosis. The Tpm2.1 isoform regulates cell detachment-induced apoptosis, known as anoikis, and the Tpm1.1 isoform is implicated in regulating apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. As there are numerous tropomyosins that have not been evaluated for their role in apoptosis the aim of this thesis is to determine whether tropomyosins regulate apoptosis in an isoform- and stimulus-dependent manner. A B35 cell model over-expressing tropomyosin was utilised to evaluate the function of specific isoforms in apoptosis. High throughput characterisation of over-expressing clones showed that tropomyosins regulate the morphological properties and phenotype of cells in an isoform-dependent manner. Furthermore, Tpm2.1 over-expression increased the number of actin filament bundles per cell and induced a parallel re-arrangement of microfilaments. Screening of tropomyosin over-expressing clones for apoptosis sensitivity to different stimuli revealed numerous isoform-specific changes in apoptosis activation. Tpm2.1 over-expression enhanced apoptosis sensitivity to the actin stabilising drug Jasplakinolide and Tpm4.2 over-expression reduced apoptosis sensitivity to the actin destabilising drug Cytochalasin D. Tpm2.1 over-expression sensitised cells to apoptosis via hyper-activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway characterised by increased mitochondrial membrane depolarisation and elevated expression of Bak, Mcl-1 and Bcl-2. A second approach was undertaken to perturb tropomyosin function and investigate the mechanism by which tropomyosins regulate apoptosis. Using a novel anti-tropomyosin compound (ATM-4001) the inhibition of tropomyosin function disrupted the actin cytoskeleton of SH-EP neuroblastoma cells resulting in intrinsic apoptosis. A Kinexus antibody microarray further revealed that tropomyosin inhibition impacted the activity of numerous cell signalling pathways (e.g. the MAPK, PI3K/AKT and PKC pathways) which shifted the balance towards apoptosis. Therefore, tropomyosins represent an important link between the actin cytoskeleton, cell signalling pathways and the regulation of apoptosis. As the pathology of many diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease involve the de-regulation of apoptosis, understanding the role of tropomyosin in regulating apoptosis will provide a unique opportunity to exploit the actin cytoskeleton therapeutically for the treatment of these diseases

Analysis of the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway in normal and abnormal bladder development.

In this study, we examined the expression of Sonic Hedgehog, Patched, Gli1, Gli2, Gli3 and Myocardin in the developing bladders of male and female normal and megabladder (mgb-/-) mutant mice at embryonic days 12 through 16 by in situ hybridization. This analysis indicated that each member of the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway as well as Myocardin displayed distinct temporal and spatial patterns of expression during normal bladder development. In contrast, mgb-/- bladders showed both temporal and spatial changes in the expression of Patched, Gli1 and Gli3 as well as a complete lack of Myocardin expression. These changes occurred primarily in the outer mesenchyme of developing mgb-/- bladders consistent with the development of an amuscular bladder phenotype in these animals. These results provide the first comprehensive analysis of the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway during normal bladder development and provide strong evidence that this key signaling cascade is critical in establishing radial patterning in the developing bladder. In addition, the lack of detrusor smooth muscle development observed in mgb-/- mice is associated with bladder-specific temporospatial changes in Sonic Hedgehog signaling coupled with a lack of Myocardin expression that appears to result in altered patterning of the outer mesenchyme and poor initiation and differentiation of smooth muscle cells within this region of the developing bladder

Abnormal response after multiple rapid swallow provocation is not predictive of post-operative dysphagia following a tailored fundoplication approach.

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to evaluate the clinical significance of multiple rapid swallows (MRS) during high-resolution manometry (HRM) prior to fundoplication. Despite pre-operative HRM, up to 38% of patients report post-fundoplication dysphagia. Suggestion that MRS improves prediction of dysphagia after fundoplication has not been investigated when using a tailored approach. We hypothesize response to MRS is predictive of dysphagia after tailored fundoplication. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients undergoing HRM with MRS provocation 5/2019-7/2021 at a single institution. Patients who underwent subsequent index laparoscopic fundoplication, without peptic stricture or achalasia, were included. After performing standard 10-swallow HRM, MRS provocation was performed. Patient-reported dysphagia frequency scores were collected at initial consultation and post-operative follow-up. At least weekly symptoms were considered clinically significant. Normal MRS response was defined as adequate deglutitive inhibition and MRS contractile response. Fundoplications were tailored based on standard HRM values. RESULTS: HRM was performed in 1201 patients, 220 met inclusion criteria. Clinically significant pre-operative dysphagia was reported by 85 (38.6%). Patients undergoing partial fundoplication (n = 123, 55.9%) had lower mean distal contractile integer, distal esophageal contraction amplitude, and percent peristalsis (p \u3c 0.005). Post-operatively, 120 (54.5%) were without dysphagia, 59 (26.8%) had improved dysphagia, 26 (11.8%) had unchanged dysphagia, and 15 (6.8%) reported new dysphagia. There was no statistical difference in early or late dysphagia outcome between tailored fundoplication groups (p = 0.69). On univariate and multivariate analysis, neither MRS response, nor standard HRM metrics were significantly associated with post-operative dysphagia. Younger age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.986, p = 0.042) and the presence of pre-operative dysphagia (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.17-5.65, p = 0.015) were significant predictors of post-operative dysphagia. CONCLUSION: The risk of clinically significant dysphagia post-fundoplication is low when using a tailored approach based on standard HRM metrics. Additional data provided by MRS does not add to surgical decision-making using the investigated approach

Diaphragmatic relaxing incisions for complex hiatal reconstruction: longer-term follow-up confirms safety, efficacy and rare complications.

BACKGROUND: Tension is an important factor in hernia repairs. Relaxing incisions to reduce tension are common with ventral hernia repairs, and techniques for relaxing incisions also exist for the hiatus. The aim of this study was to update our original experience with a diaphragm relaxing incision (DRI) in a larger group of patients with longer follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify all patients who had a DRI between August 2016 and September 2021 during hiatal hernia repair. All DRI defects were repaired with permanent mesh remote from the esophagus. Objective follow-up was with chest x-ray, upper GI series (UGI) or both. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients had a total of 79 DRI (right in 63, left in 4, and bilateral in 6 patients), during a primary (n = 52) or redo (n = 21) hiatal hernia repair. Concomitant Collis gastroplasty was used in 38 patients (52%). A single intra-operative complication occurred where the right crus tore during a right DRI. At a median of 15 months, 78% of patients had objective follow-up. There was one hernia through a repaired right DRI (1.2%). No patient had evidence of diaphragm paralysis and there were no mesh infections. The 1-year hernia recurrence rate in these patients was 3.9%. CONCLUSIONS: A DRI can be done safely with minimal risk of intra- or post-operative complications. There was a low rate of herniation through the defect when repaired with permanent mesh. No patient developed a mesh infection despite concomitant Collis gastroplasty in 52% of patients, and there was no evidence of diaphragm paralysis on imaging studies. Further, the low rate of hiatal hernia recurrence suggests efficacy of a DRI to reduce crural closure tension. These excellent outcomes should encourage use of a DRI in patients with a difficult hiatus during hernia repair

Expression of <i>Gli1</i> in the bladder of E14 and E15 mice.

<p><i>In situ</i> hybridization analysis of <i>Gli1</i> expression in E14 (A-P) and E15 (Q-FF) bladders using antisense (A-D, I-L, Q-T, Y-BB) and sense (E-H, M-P, U-X, CC-FF) riboprobes on transverse sections of wild type (A-H, Q-X) and <i>mgb−/−</i> (I-P, Y-FF) mice. Sections are shown at 10X dark field (DF; A, E, I, M, Q, U, Y, CC), 10X fluorescence (FL; B, F, J, N, R, V, Z, DD), 20X dark field (DF; C, G, K, O, S, W, AA, EE) and 20X fluorescence (FL; D, H, L, P, T, X, BB, FF). The basement membrane of the developing urothelium has been outlined in black as a point of reference in 10X and 20X FL views.</p

Expression of <i>Gli1</i> in the bladder of E12 and E13 mice.

<p><i>In situ</i> hybridization analysis of <i>Gli1</i> expression in E12 (A-P) and E13 (Q-FF) bladders using antisense (A-D, I-L, Q-T, Y-BB) and sense (E-H, M-P, U-X, CC-FF) riboprobes on transverse sections of wild type (A-H, Q-X) and <i>mgb−/−</i> (I-P, Y-FF) mice. Sections are shown at 10X dark field (DF; A, E, I, M, Q, U, Y, CC), 10X fluorescence (FL; B, F, J, N, R, V, Z, DD), 20X dark field (DF; C, G, K, O, S, W, AA, EE) and 20X fluorescence (FL; D, H, L, P, T, X, BB, FF). The basement membrane of the developing urothelium has been outlined in black as a point of reference in 10X and 20X FL views.</p

Expression of <i>Shh</i> in the bladder of E14 and E15 mice.

<p><i>In situ</i> hybridization analysis of <i>Shh</i> expression in E14 (A-P) and E15 (Q-FF) bladders using antisense (A-D, I-L, Q-T, Y-BB) and sense (E-H, M-P, U-X, CC-FF) riboprobes on transverse sections of wild type (A-H, Q-X) and <i>mgb−/−</i> (I-P, Y-FF) mice. Sections are shown at 10X dark field (DF; A, E, I, M, Q, U, Y, CC), 10X fluorescence (FL; B, F, J, N, R, V, Z, DD), 20X dark field (DF; C, G, K, O, S, W, AA, EE) and 20X fluorescence (FL; D, H, L, P, T, X, BB, FF). The basement membrane of the developing urothelium has been outlined in black as a point of reference in 10X and 20X FL views.</p