Interactive Effects of Trait Self-Control and Stress Appraisals on Blood Pressure Responses to a Laboratory Stressor

Purpose: Stress may play a role in explaining part of the conscientiousness-longevity relationship. Conscientiousness (C) is associated with the appraisals of stressors and its lower-order facets have been shown to differentially moderate the experience of stress in daily life. This study investigated whether the lower-order facet, self-control (SC), moderated the relationship between stress appraisals and blood pressure responses to a laboratory stressor. Methods: Ninety participants (selected from the upper and lower quartiles for C scores from a sample of 679 participants) were invited to complete the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were assessed throughout the stress task. Stress appraisals were assessed at baseline. Results: Blood pressure responses to the MAST were similar in participants who scored high and low in SC. However, primary appraisals were negatively associated with BP reactivity and recovery in the high SC group but not in the low SC group. Moreover, SC was found to moderate the relationship between primary appraisals and SBP and DBP reactivity values, such that higher primary appraisals were associated with lower BP reactivity in individuals high in SC but not in those low in SC. In addition, lower SBP recovery values were observed in the high SC group compared to their low SC counterparts. Conclusions: These findings indicate that SC may influence health status by modifying the relationship between perceived demands and blood pressure. Moreover, having a greater stake in stressors may yield health benefits in the longer term for individuals high in SC

Auditory and visual sequence learning in humans and monkeys using an artificial grammar learning paradigm

Language flexibly supports the human ability to communicate using different sensory modalities, such as writing and reading in the visual modality and speaking and listening in the auditory domain. Although it has been argued that nonhuman primate communication abilities are inherently multisensory, direct behavioural comparisons between human and nonhuman primates are scant. Artificial grammar learning (AGL) tasks and statistical learning experiments can be used to emulate ordering relationships between words in a sentence. However, previous comparative work using such paradigms has primarily investigated sequence learning within a single sensory modality. We used an AGL paradigm to evaluate how humans and macaque monkeys learn and respond to identically structured sequences of either auditory or visual stimuli. In the auditory and visual experiments, we found that both species were sensitive to the ordering relationships between elements in the sequences. Moreover, the humans and monkeys produced largely similar response patterns to the visual and auditory sequences, indicating that the sequences are processed in comparable ways across the sensory modalities. These results provide evidence that human sequence processing abilities stem from an evolutionarily conserved capacity that appears to operate comparably across the sensory modalities in both human and nonhuman primates. The findings set the stage for future neurobiological studies to investigate the multisensory nature of these sequencing operations in nonhuman primates and how they compare to related processes in humans

A coherent middle Pliocene magnetostratigraphy, Wanganui Basin, New Zealand

We document magnetostratigraphies for three river sections (Turakina, Rangitikei, Wanganui) in Wanganui Basin and interpret them as corresponding to the Upper Gilbert, the Gauss and lower Matuyama Chrons of the Geomagnetic Polarity Timescale, in agreement with foraminiferal biostratigraphic datums. The Gauss-Gilbert transition (3.58 Ma) is located in both the Turakina and Wanganui River sections, while the Gauss-Matuyama transition (2.58 Ma) is located in all three sections, as are the lower and upper boundaries of the Mammoth (3.33–3.22 Ma) and Kaena (3.11–3.04 Ma) Subchrons. Our interpretations are based in part on the re-analysis of existing datasets and in part on the acquisition and analysis of new data, particularly for the Wanganui River section. The palaeomagnetic dates of these six horizons provide the only numerical age control for a thick (up to 2000 m) mudstone succession (Tangahoe Mudstone) that accumulated chiefly in upper bathyal and outer neritic palaeoenvironments. In the Wanganui River section the mean sediment accumulation rate is estimated to have been about 1.8 m/k.y., in the Turakina section it was about 1.5 m/k.y., and in the Rangitikei section, the mean rate from the beginning of the Mammoth Subchron to the Hautawa Shellbed was about 1.1 m/k.y. The high rates may be associated with the progradation of slope clinoforms northward through the basin. This new palaeomagnetic timescale allows revised correlations to be made between cyclothems in the Rangitikei River section and the global Oxygen Isotope Stages (OIS) as represented in Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 846. The 16 depositional sequences between the end of the Mammoth Subchron and the Gauss-Matuyama Boundary are correlated with OIS MG2 to 100. The cyclothems average 39 k.y. in duration in our age model, which is close to the 41 k.y. duration of the orbital obliquity cycles. We support the arguments advanced recently in defence of the need for local New Zealand stages as a means of classifying New Zealand sedimentary successions, and strongly oppose the proposal to move stage boundaries to selected geomagnetic polarity transitions. The primary magnetisation of New Zealand mudstone is frequently overprinted with secondary components of diagenetic origin, and hence it is often difficult to obtain reliable magnetostratigraphic records. We suggest specific approaches, analytical methods, and criteria to help ensure robustness and coherency in the palaeomagnetic identification of chron boundaries in typical New Zealand Cenozoic mudstone successions

Social behavior shapes the chimpanzee pan-microbiome

Animal sociality facilitates the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms among hosts, but the extent to which sociality enables animals’ beneficial microbial associations is poorly understood. The question is critical because microbial communities, particularly those in the gut, are key regulators of host health. We show evidence that chimpanzee social interactions propagate microbial diversity in the gut microbiome both within and between host generations. Frequent social interaction promotes species richness within individual microbiomes as well as homogeneity among the gut community memberships of different chimpanzees. Sampling successive generations across multiple chimpanzee families suggests that infants inherited gut microorganisms primarily through social transmission. These results indicate that social behavior generates a pan-microbiome, preserving microbial diversity across evolutionary time scales and contributing to the evolution of host species–specific gut microbial communities

Experimental Investigation of Oxide Leaching Methods for Li Isotopes

To examine the applicability of different leaching methods used to extract secondary oxides from silicate solids for lithium isotope (δ7Li) analysis, this study has conducted leaching experiments on five different types of silicate solids, including a fresh basalt, two weathered basalts, a Yellow River sediment (loess-dominated) and a shale. Four factors were assessed in the experiments: the concentration of the leaching reagent hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HH), the leaching temperature (20 °C versus 95 °C), the leaching time and the reagent/solid ratio. Based on elemental concentrations and Li isotopes, 0.04 mol l-1 hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HH) in 25% v/v acetic acid at room temperature for 1 hour with 40 ml g-1 reagent/solid ratio is recommended. At high temperature, low δ7Li and high magnesium/iron ratios indicate that minerals other than secondary oxides are dissolved. With increased leaching time, there is no evidence for Li isotopic fractionation at room temperature. However, longer leaching time or increased reagent/solid ratios may increase the risk of leaching from non-oxide phases. Meanwhile, results suggest that low concentrations of HH are not sufficient to target the secondary oxides evenly, while high concentrations of HH can leach out more non-oxides. We also examined the optimal oxide leaching method within a full sequential leaching procedure (i.e., exchangeable, carbonate, oxide, clay and residual phases). Elemental concentrations show that no elements exist exclusively in oxides, so it is essential to analyse multi-elemental concentrations to verify that the leaching has accessed this phase in a given sample. Comparing secondary oxides with their corresponding solutions, we estimate the isotopic fractionation (Δ7Lioxide-solution) is -16.8‰ to -27.7‰

Structured sequence learning across sensory modalities in humans and nonhuman primates

Structured sequence processing tasks inform us about statistical learning abilities that are relevant to many areas of cognition, including language. Despite the ubiquity of these abilities across different tasks and cognitive domains, recent research in humans has demonstrated that these cognitive capacities do not represent a single, domain-general system, but are subject to modality-specific and stimulus-specific constraints. Sequence processing studies in nonhuman primates have provided initial insights into the evolution of these abilities. However, few studies have examined similarities and/or differences in sequence learning across sensory modalities. We review how behavioural and neuroimaging experiments assess sequence processing abilities across sensory modalities, and how these tasks could be implemented in nonhuman primates to better understand the evolution of these cognitive systems

Activated but functionally impaired memory Tregs are expanded in slow progressors to type 1 diabetes

This is the final version. Available on open access from Springer via the DOI in this recordData availability: The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.Aims/hypothesis Slow progressors to type 1 diabetes are individuals positive for multiple pancreatic islet autoantibodies who have remained diabetes-free for at least 10 years; regulation of the autoimmune response is understudied in this group. Here, we profile CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in a small but well-characterised cohort of extreme slow progressors with a median age 43 (range 31–72 years), followed up for 18–32 years. Methods Peripheral blood samples were obtained from slow progressors (n = 8), age- and sex-matched to healthy donors. One participant in this study was identified with a raised HbA1c at the time of assessment and subsequently diagnosed with diabetes; this donor was individually evaluated in the analysis of the data. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated, and to assess frequency, phenotype and function of Tregs in donors, multi-parameter flow cytometry and T cell suppression assays were performed. Unsupervised clustering analysis, using FlowSOM and CITRUS (cluster identification, characterization, and regression), was used to evaluate Treg phenotypes. Results Unsupervised clustering on memory CD4+ T cells from slow progressors showed an increased frequency of activated memory CD4+ Tregs, associated with increased expression of glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (GITR), compared with matched healthy donors. One participant with a raised HbA1c at the time of assessment had a different Treg profile compared with both slow progressors and matched controls. Functional assays demonstrated that Treg-mediated suppression of CD4+ effector T cells from slow progressors was significantly impaired, compared with healthy donors. However, effector CD4+ T cells from slow progressors were more responsive to Treg suppression compared with healthy donors, demonstrated by increased suppression of CD25 and CD134 expression on effector CD4+ T cells. Conclusions/interpretations We conclude that activated memory CD4+ Tregs from slow progressors are expanded and enriched for GITR expression, highlighting the need for further study of Treg heterogeneity in individuals at risk of developing type 1 diabetes.Diabetes UKJDR

Provision of foot health services for people with rheumatoid arthritis in New South Wales: a web-based survey of local podiatrists

Background: It is unclear if podiatric foot care for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in New South Wales (NSW) meets current clinical recommendations. The objective of this study was to survey podiatrists' perceptions of the nature of podiatric foot care provision for people who have RA in NSW.Methods: An anonymous, cross-sectional survey with a web-based questionnaire was conducted. The survey questionnaire was developed according to clinical experience and current foot care recommendations. State registered podiatrists practising in the state of NSW were invited to participate. The survey link was distributed initially via email to members of the Australian Podiatry Association (NSW), and distributed further through snowballing techniques using professional networks. Data was analysed to assess significant associations between adherence to clinical practice guidelines, and private/public podiatry practices.Results: 86 podiatrists participated in the survey (78% from private practice, 22% from public practice). Respondents largely did not adhere to formal guidelines to manage their patients (88%). Only one respondent offered a dedicated service for patients with RA. Respondents indicated that the primary mode of accessing podiatry was by self-referral (68%). Significant variation was observed regarding access to disease and foot specific assessments and treatment strategies. Assessment methods such as administration of patient reported outcome measures, vascular and neurological assessments were not conducted by all respondents. Similarly, routine foot care strategies such as prescription of foot orthoses, foot health advice and footwear were not employed by all respondents.Conclusions: The results identified issues in foot care provision which should be explored through further research. Foot care provision in NSW does not appear to meet the current recommended standards for the management of foot problems in people who have RA. Improvements to foot care could be undertaken in terms of providing better access to examination techniques and treatment strategies that are recommended by evidence based treatment paradigms. © 2013 Hendry et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Significant reductions in human visual gamma frequency by the gaba reuptake inhibitor tiagabine revealed by robust peak frequency estimation

The frequency of visual gamma oscillations is determined by both the neuronal excitation-inhibition balance and the time constants of GABAergic processes. The gamma peak frequency has been linked to sensory processing, cognitive function, cortical structure, and may have a genetic contribution. To disentangle the intricate relationship among these factors, accurate and reliable estimates of peak frequency are required. Here, a bootstrapping approach that provides estimates of peak frequency reliability, thereby increasing the robustness of the inferences made on this parameter was developed. The method using both simulated data and real data from two previous pharmacological MEG studies of visual gamma with alcohol and tiagabine was validated. In particular, the study by Muthukumaraswamy et al. [] (Neuropsychopharmacology 38(6):1105-1112), in which GABAergic enhancement by tiagabine had previously demonstrated a null effect on visual gamma oscillations, contrasting with strong evidence from both animal models and very recent human studies was re-evaluated. After improved peak frequency estimation and additional exclusion of unreliably measured data, it was found that the GABA reuptake inhibitor tiagabine did produce, as predicted, a marked decrease in visual gamma oscillation frequency. This result demonstrates the potential impact of objective approaches to data quality control, and provides additional translational evidence for the mechanisms of GABAergic transmission generating gamma oscillations in humans. Hum Brain Mapp, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc