Abnormality in glutamine-glutamate cycle in the cerebrospinal fluid of cognitively intact elderly individuals with major depressive disorder: a 3-year follow-up study

Major depressive disorder (MDD), common in the elderly, is a risk factor for dementia. Abnormalities in glutamatergic neurotransmission via the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) have a key role in the pathophysiology of depression. This study examined whether depression was associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of NMDA-R neurotransmission-associated amino acids in cognitively intact elderly individuals with MDD and age- and gender-matched healthy controls. CSF was obtained from 47 volunteers (MDD group, N = 28; age- and gender-matched comparison group, N = 19) at baseline and 3-year follow-up (MDD group, N = 19; comparison group, N = 17). CSF levels of glutamine, glutamate, glycine, L-serine and D-serine were measured by highperformance liquid chromatography. CSF levels of amino acids did not differ across MDD and comparison groups. However, the ratio of glutamine to glutamate was significantly higher at baseline in subjects with MDD than in controls. The ratio decreased in individuals with MDD over the 3-year follow-up, and this decrease correlated with a decrease in the severity of depression. No correlations between absolute amino-acid levels and clinical variables were observed, nor were correlations between amino acids and other biomarkers (for example, amyloid-β42, amyloid-β40, and total and phosphorylated tau protein) detected. These results suggest that abnormalities in the glutamine–glutamate cycle in the communication between glia and neurons may have a role in the pathophysiology of depression in the elderly. Furthermore, the glutamine/glutamate ratio in CSF may be a state biomarker for depression

Leveraging the macro-level environment to balance work and life: an analysis of female entrepreneurs' job satisfaction

This study investigates the interactive effect of female entrepreneurs’ experience of work–life imbalance and gender-egalitarian macro-level conditions on their job satisfaction, with the prediction that the negative linear relationship between work–life imbalance and job satisfaction may be buffered by the presence of women-friendly action resources, emancipative values, and civic entitlements. Data pertaining to 7,392 female entrepreneurs from 44 countries offer empirical support for these predictions. Female entrepreneurs who are preoccupied with their ability to fulfill both work and life responsibilities are more likely to maintain a certain level of job satisfaction, even if they experience significant work–life imbalances, to the extent that they operate in supportive macro-level environments

Toward Augmented Familiarity of the Audience with Digital Musical Instruments

International audienceThe diversity and complexity of Digital Musical Instruments often lead to a reduced appreciation of live performances by the audience. This can be linked to the lack of familiarity they have with the instruments. We propose to increase this familiarity thanks to a trans-disciplinary approach in which signals from both the musician and the audience are extracted, familiarity analyzed, and augmentations dynamically added to the instruments. We introduce a new decomposition of familiarity and the concept of correspondences between musical gestures and results. This paper is both a review of research that paves the way for the realization of a pipeline for augmented familiarity, and a call for future research on the identified challenges that remain before it can be implemented

Macrophage secretion of miR-106b-5p causes renin-dependent hypertension

Myeloid cells are known mediators of hypertension, but their role in initiating renin-induced hypertension has not been studied. Vitamin D deficiency causes pro-inflammatory macrophage infiltration in metabolic tissues and is linked to renin-mediated hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that impaired vitamin D signaling in macrophages causes hypertension using conditional knockout of the myeloid vitamin D receptor in mice (KODMAC). These mice develop renin-dependent hypertension due to macrophage infiltration of the vasculature and direct activation of renal juxtaglomerular (JG) cell renin production. Induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress in knockout macrophages increases miR-106b-5p secretion, which stimulates JG cell renin production via repression of transcription factors E2f1 and Pde3b. Moreover, in wild-type recipient mice of KODMAC/miR106b-/- bone marrow, knockout of miR-106b-5p prevents the hypertension and JG cell renin production induced by KODMAC macrophages, suggesting myeloid-specific, miR-106b-5p-dependent effects. These findings confirm macrophage miR-106b-5p secretion from impaired vitamin D receptor signaling causes inflammation-induced hypertension.status: publishe

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO WOMEN’S VENTURE SUCCESS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: AN EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS

Although the body of literature on female entrepreneurs is relatively small when compared to that of men; the majority of articles that have focused on female entrepreneurs and issues surrounding them center on women in developed countries. Few studies place emphasis on female entrepreneurs in developing countries. Guided by the resource-based view of human and social capital, the article explores the relationship among individual and entrepreneurial factors, institutional factors and women\u27s venture success in developing countries. Hypotheses are tested with a sample of 350 female entrepreneurs using individual and country level data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) database and the Heritage Foundation\u27s Index of Economic Freedom. Female entrepreneurs were chosen from six developing countries: Argentina, Brazil, Hungary, India, Mexico and South Africa. Results indicate certain factors (i.e. household income, knowing an entrepreneur, and country of origin) play a role in venture success for female entrepreneurs in developing countries. Secondary analyses demonstrated that the developing country\u27s economic freedom, cultural norms, financial support and government supportiveness may also impact women\u27s venture success