Regional gray matter correlates of vocational interests.

BackgroundPrevious studies have identified brain areas related to cognitive abilities and personality, respectively. In this exploratory study, we extend the application of modern neuroimaging techniques to another area of individual differences, vocational interests, and relate the results to an earlier study of cognitive abilities salient for vocations.FindingsFirst, we examined the psychometric relationships between vocational interests and abilities in a large sample. The primary relationships between those domains were between Investigative (scientific) interests and general intelligence and between Realistic ("blue-collar") interests and spatial ability. Then, using MRI and voxel-based morphometry, we investigated the relationships between regional gray matter volume and vocational interests. Specific clusters of gray matter were found to be correlated with Investigative and Realistic interests. Overlap analyses indicated some common brain areas between the correlates of Investigative interests and general intelligence and between the correlates of Realistic interests and spatial ability.ConclusionsTwo of six vocational-interest scales show substantial relationships with regional gray matter volume. The overlap between the brain correlates of these scales and cognitive-ability factors suggest there are relationships between individual differences in brain structure and vocations

White Matter Integrity, Creativity, and Psychopathology: Disentangling Constructs with Diffusion Tensor Imaging

That creativity and psychopathology are somehow linked remains a popular but controversial idea in neuroscience research. Brain regions implicated in both psychosis-proneness and creative cognition include frontal projection zones and association fibers. In normal subjects, we have previously demonstrated that a composite measure of divergent thinking (DT) ability exhibited significant inverse relationships in frontal lobe areas with both cortical thickness and metabolite concentration of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA). These findings support the idea that creativity may reside upon a continuum with psychopathology. Here we examine whether white matter integrity, assessed by Fractional Anisotropy (FA), is related to two measures of creativity (Divergent Thinking and Openness to Experience). Based on previous findings, we hypothesize inverse correlations within fronto-striatal circuits. Seventy-two healthy, young adult (18–29 years) subjects were scanned on a 3 Tesla scanner with Diffusion Tensor Imaging. DT measures were scored by four raters (α = .81) using the Consensual Assessment Technique, from which a composite creativity index (CCI) was derived. We found that the CCI was significantly inversely related to FA within the left inferior frontal white matter (t = 5.36, p = .01), and Openness was inversely related to FA within the right inferior frontal white matter (t = 4.61, p = .04). These findings demonstrate an apparent overlap in specific white matter architecture underlying the normal variance of divergent thinking, openness, and psychotic-spectrum traits, consistent with the idea of a continuum

Gray matter correlates of cognitive ability tests used for vocational guidance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Individual differences in cognitive abilities provide information that is valuable for vocational guidance, but there is an ongoing debate about the role of ability factors, including general intelligence (<it>g</it>), compared to individual tests. Neuroimaging can help identify brain parameters that may account for individual differences in both factors and tests. Here we investigate how eight tests used in vocational guidance correlate to regional gray matter. We compare brain networks identified by using scores for ability factors (general and specific) to those identified by using individual tests to determine whether these relatively broad and narrow approaches yield similar results.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Using MRI and voxel-based morphometry (VBM), we correlated gray matter with independent ability factors (general intelligence, speed of reasoning, numerical, spatial, memory) and individual test scores from a battery of cognitive tests completed by 40 individuals seeking vocational guidance. Patterns of gray matter correlations differed between group ability factors and individual tests. Moreover, tests within the same factor showed qualitatively different brain correlates to some degree.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The psychometric factor structure of cognitive tests can help identify brain networks related to cognitive abilities beyond a general intelligence factor (<it>g</it>). Correlates of individual ability tests with gray matter, however, appear to have some differences from the correlates for group factors.</p

MicroRNA Profiling Implies New Markers of Gemcitabine Chemoresistance in Mutant p53 Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Background: No reliable predictors of susceptibility to gemcitabine chemotherapy exist in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). MicroRNAs (miR) are epigenetic gene regulators with tumorsuppressive or oncogenic roles in various carcinomas. This study assesses chemoresistant PDAC for its specific miR expression pattern. Methods: Gemcitabine-resistant variants of two mutant p53 human PDAC cell lines were established. Survival rates were analyzed by cytotoxicity and apoptosis assays. Expression of 1733 human miRs was investigated by microarray and validated by qRT-PCR. After in-silico analysis of specific target genes and proteins of dysregulated miRs, expression of MRP-1, Bcl-2, mutant p53, and CDK1 was quantified by Western blot. Results: Both established PDAC clones showed a significant resistance to gemcitabine (p<0.02) with low apoptosis rate (p<0.001) vs. parental cells. MiR-screening revealed significantly upregulated (miR-21, miR-99a, miR-100, miR-125b, miR-138, miR-210) and downregulated miRs (miR-31*, miR-330, miR-378) in chemoresistant PDAC (p<0.05). Bioinformatic analysis suggested involvement of these miRs in pathways controlling cell death and cycle. MRP-1 (p<0.02) and Bcl-2 (p<0.003) were significantly overexpressed in both resistant cell clones and mutant p53 (p = 0.023) in one clone. Conclusion: Consistent miR expression profiles, in part regulated by mutant TP53 gene, were identified in gemcitabine-resistant PDAC with significant MRP-1 and Bcl-2 overexpression. These results provide a basis for further elucidation of chemoresistance mechanisms and therapeutic approaches to overcome chemoresistance in PDAC

The Vehicle, 1964, Vol. 6

Vol. 6 Table of Contents Milepostspage 2 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial Pagepage 4 Sadness No. 4 (Sorgen)Sherry S. Frypage 5 Christian BurialRoger J. Barrypage 7 The World of BeautyDavid Helmpage 9 The Song of the LarksDon Kapraunpage 10 ContrastKeith Haierpage 13 PanoramaDaun Alan Leggpage 13 A Child\u27s View of DeathCherie Brondellpage 14 RegretLiz Puckettpage 16 Brutal WarMary H. Soukuppage 17 aloneLiz Puckettpage 18 MadgeLinda Galeypage 19 Moon WatchingJoel E. Hendrickspage 20 AnalysisLiz Puckettpage 21 UniverseRick Talleypage 21 Anyone Can Be A LuniticRick Towsonpage 22 I, Too, Have A Rendezvous with DeathElaine Lancepage 23 The ReturnRobert D. Thomaspage 24 NamesLarry Gatespage 25 Eternal MomentsDavid Helmpage 25 The Last DaysPauline B. Smithpage 26 BeliefRichard J. Wiesepage 27 StormPauline B. Smithpage 28 ExplosionLiz Puckettpage 29 Autumn EveJoel E. Hendrickspage 29 The Girl On the White PonyLarry Gatespage 31 HoffnungTerry Michael Salempage 33 Stone WallsDaun Alan Leggpage 34 AdorationGail M. Barenfangerpage 37 MirageRoy L. Carlsonpage 38 Nature and NonsenseRick Talleypage 39 A Step Through A Looking GlassMarilyn Henrypage 40 Thoughts of a Summer PastPauline B Smithpage 42 Indiana GrassLarry Gatespage 43 RedondillaRoberta Matthewspage 44 Summer LoveDaun Alan Leggpage 45 To Youth Reaching For MaturityDavid Helmpage 45 Thanksgiving DayJoel E. Hendrickspage 46 Sadness No. 6 (Schatten)Sherry S. Frypage 48https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1012/thumbnail.jp