12 - Empathy and Sympathy in Response to Social and Physical Pain

The current study looked into empathy for others’ pain, as a function of dispositional empathy and whether the target is experiencing physical or social pain. Participants took the short form of the Emotional Quotient test (Wakabayashi et.al., 2006), a self-report assessment of participants’ tendency to empathize with others. Participants were then shown a social pain video or a physical pain video (Atkins, Uskul, & Cooper, 2016; actor describing a romantic breakup, or having their hand punctured by a needle). Participants rated the actors’ pain level on a 0-10 scale. Participants also read four short scenarios which were equated in pilot testing for rated severity such that one depicted a high level of social pain; one depicted high physical pain; and two others represented low levels of social or physical pain. A 5-minute Stroop test was given between administration of the EQ and exposure to one of the two pain videos, and again between the pain video and the four written pain scenarios. We predicted that participants responses to physical and social pain would differ and that dispositional empathy scores would predict reactions. Results were somewhat consistent with expectations, but several surprising findings emerged. Although female participants had higher EQ scores, it was the males who showed a correspondence between EQ and perceived pain (r = .27, vs. -.06 for females). Across both written and video exposures, participants responded with much higher perceived pain for social than physical pain. This difference was more pronounced for participants with high EQ, resulting in an EQ by pain type interaction, F (1, 131) = 4.13, p \u3c .05, ηP2 = .031. Although the third order interaction with gender did not reach significance, an examination of cell means made apparent that the interaction was driven by the male respondents

Canine tumor cross-species genomics uncovers targets linked to osteosarcoma progression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pulmonary metastasis continues to be the most common cause of death in osteosarcoma. Indeed, the 5-year survival for newly diagnosed osteosarcoma patients has not significantly changed in over 20 years. Further understanding of the mechanisms of metastasis and resistance for this aggressive pediatric cancer is necessary. Pet dogs naturally develop osteosarcoma providing a novel opportunity to model metastasis development and progression. Given the accelerated biology of canine osteosarcoma, we hypothesized that a direct comparison of canine and pediatric osteosarcoma expression profiles may help identify novel metastasis-associated tumor targets that have been missed through the study of the human cancer alone.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using parallel oligonucleotide array platforms, shared orthologues between species were identified and normalized. The osteosarcoma expression signatures could not distinguish the canine and human diseases by hierarchical clustering. Cross-species target mining identified two genes, interleukin-8 (<it>IL-8</it>) and solute carrier family 1 (glial high affinity glutamate transporter), member 3 (<it>SLC1A3</it>), which were uniformly expressed in dog but not in all pediatric osteosarcoma patient samples. Expression of these genes in an independent population of pediatric osteosarcoma patients was associated with poor outcome (p = 0.020 and p = 0.026, respectively). Validation of <it>IL-8 </it>and <it>SLC1A3 </it>protein expression in pediatric osteosarcoma tissues further supported the potential value of these novel targets. Ongoing evaluation will validate the biological significance of these targets and their associated pathways.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Collectively, these data support the strong similarities between human and canine osteosarcoma and underline the opportunities provided by a comparative oncology approach as a means to improve our understanding of cancer biology and therapies.</p

The Leg-Tuck versus the Plank-Hold Relative to the Army Combat Fitness Test: Interactions with Body Composition, Strength and Sex.

In 2020 the U.S. Army replaced their older physical fitness test with the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to replicate modern battlefield demands. One component of the test, the leg-tuck (LTK) was found to disproportionately fail female soldiers. Following an independent review, the Army adopted the plank-hold (PLK), attempting to limit the influence of sex differences during the assessment. However, research regarding performance, relationships, and the influence of sex on the LTK versus the PLK is limited. PURPOSE: To determine relationships between the LTK, PLK, sex, body composition and abdominal and grip strength. METHODS: 49 physically active civilian college students (28 males, 21 females) were recruited as a surrogate population for Army personnel in this study. The following data were collected in one session: height; body mass (BM), body fat (BF%) and muscle mass percentage (MM%) measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis; combined grip strength (CGS) from both hands; the LTK; and the PLK. ACFT standards were utilized for the LTK and PLK for all participants and a 10-minute rest was provided between tests. Independent t-tests compared sexes in all variables (p\u3c.05). Partial correlations controlling for sex detailed relationships between the LTK and PLK and the other variables (p\u3c.05). Stepwise regression controlling for sex derived predictive relationships for the LTK and PLK. RESULTS: There were significant between-sex differences with males being taller, having greater BM, MM%, and performing better in CGS and the LTK. Females had greater BF%. There was no significant between-sex difference found in PLK performance. The LTK significantly correlated with PLK (r=.404), height (r=.546), BM (r=.343), BF% (r=-.639), MM% (r=.697) and CGS (r=.732). In addition to the relationship with the LTK, the PLK only correlated with BF% (r=-.295). Stepwise regression analysis showed LTK performance was predicted by sex (r2=.441), grip strength (r2=.595), and PLK performance (r2=.662). When controlling for sex, a significant predictive relationship was not produced for the PLK. CONCLUSION: Compared to the LTK, the PLK appeared to minimize the influence of sex and body composition on task performance in college-aged civilians. More research is needed on whether the PLK relates to Army job tasks

Malignant mixed tumor in the salivary gland of a cat

The presence of a malignant mixed tumor, also known as a carcinosarcoma, in the salivary gland is very rare. Such tumors, which are typically aggressive, are characterized by the presence of carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. A 9-year-old neutered female domestic short-haired cat presented with swelling in the right mandibular lesion that had rapidly enlarged over the previous 3 weeks. Physical examination revealed a large, fluctuated and painless subcutaneous swelling that was associated with a firm mass. Radiographs of the head revealed a soft-tissue density that involved faint circular calcific opacity. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed that the peripheral capsulated cystic area had a contrast enhanced region without bone lysis. The cat received a total excision of the mass and postoperative radiotherapy. Histopathological analysis of the mass revealed that it was a malignant mixed tumor. Metastasis to the lung was discovered 7 weeks later, at which time treatment was stopped

Data Publication with the Structural Biology Data Grid Supports Live Analysis

Access to experimental X-ray diffraction image data is fundamental for validation and reproduction of macromolecular models and indispensable for development of structural biology processing methods. Here, we established a diffraction data publication and dissemination system, Structural Biology Data Grid (SBDG; data.sbgrid.org), to preserve primary experimental data sets that support scientific publications. Data sets are accessible to researchers through a community driven data grid, which facilitates global data access. Our analysis of a pilot collection of crystallographic data sets demonstrates that the information archived by SBDG is sufficient to reprocess data to statistics that meet or exceed the quality of the original published structures. SBDG has extended its services to the entire community and is used to develop support for other types of biomedical data sets. It is anticipated that access to the experimental data sets will enhance the paradigm shift in the community towards a much more dynamic body of continuously improving data analysis

Data Publication with the Structural Biology Data Grid Supports Live Analysis

Access to experimental X-ray diffraction image data is fundamental for validation and reproduction of macromolecular models and indispensable for development of structural biology processing methods. Here, we established a diffraction data publication and dissemination system, Structural Biology Data Grid (SBDG; data.sbgrid.org), to preserve primary experimental data sets that support scientific publications. Data sets are accessible to researchers through a community driven data grid, which facilitates global data access. Our analysis of a pilot collection of crystallographic data sets demonstrates that the information archived by SBDG is sufficient to reprocess data to statistics that meet or exceed the quality of the original published structures. SBDG has extended its services to the entire community and is used to develop support for other types of biomedical data sets. It is anticipated that access to the experimental data sets will enhance the paradigm shift in the community towards a much more dynamic body of continuously improving data analysis

Determining crystal structures through crowdsourcing and coursework

We show here that computer game players can build high-quality crystal structures. Introduction of a new feature into the computer game Foldit allows players to build and real-space refine structures into electron density maps. To assess the usefulness of this feature, we held a crystallographic model-building competition between trained crystallographers, undergraduate students, Foldit players and automatic model-building algorithms. After removal of disordered residues, a team of Foldit players achieved the most accurate structure. Analysing the target protein of the competition, YPL067C, uncovered a new family of histidine triad proteins apparently involved in the prevention of amyloid toxicity. From this study, we conclude that crystallographers can utilize crowdsourcing to interpret electron density information and to produce structure solutions of the highest quality

Investigation of hydrogen chemisorption on the tungsten (100) surface

A new apparatus for surface studies has been constructed and placed in operation. The instrument incorporates a monoenergetic beam of electrons, a high resolution, high sensitivity electrostatic ene'rgy spectrome.ter for electrons and ions, plus other hardware and electronics necessary to perform work function measurements, Auger electron spectroscopy, electron stimulated desorption of ions, low energy electron diffraction, and electron scattering energy loss measurements. It has been used to investigate geometric, energetic, and kinetic properties associated with the chemisorption of hydrogen on a single crystal tungsten (100) surface over a temperature range from 600c to -1500C. A new hydrogen binding state, labeled the fast state, has been observed and characterized using ESD techniques. This state is desorbable if the undosed crystal is cooled below room temperature. It is populated to -4 a very low coverage, ~10 monolayer, by adsorption from the background of some . other than H T e tota esorpt10n cross . cm2 spec1es 2' hId' sect1on, 10-17 , and energy distribution of the fast state are markedly different than for the S states. LEED pattern changes, observed as a function of hydrogen coverage, are in good agreement with results published in the literature. The intensity of the c(2x2) pattern associated with the S2 hydrogen state maximizes at a work function change with adsorption of 0.15 eV. LEED elastic intensity profiles have been obtained for several low index beams. These are compared to theoretical, microscopic model calculations and to published experimental profiles. A c(2x2) LEED pattern is obtained if the crystal is cooled below room temperature. Attempts have been made to correlate the appearance of this pattern to changes in measurements taken in this low temperature range with other techniques. No significant bulk to surface diffusion of hydrogen was found. No evidence was found from work function and electron scattering experiments to support the hypothesis that the low temperature, c(2x2) pattern results from hydrogen on the surface. In addition, the fast hydrogen state is not believed to be responsible for the c(2x2) pattern. LEED intensity profiles from the undosed, cold surface c(2x2) pattern and from the c(2x2) pattern associated with the ~2 hydrogen state are not identical, an indication that the atomic geometry responsible for the two patterns may not be the same. Electron scattering energy loss spectra have been obtained as a function of hydrogen coverage for loss energies of 0 eV ~ w < 40 eV. Hydrogen adsorption has a marked effect on the spectra. Fine structure in the data has been discussed and compared to photoemission data. Cooling the clean crystal below room temperature causes only a slight change in the energy loss spectrum.Ope

Investigation of Hydrogen Chemisorption on the Tungsten (100) Surface

Coordinated Science Laboratory was formerly known as Control Systems LaboratoryJoint Services Electronics Program / DAAB-07-72-C-0259U of I OnlyRestricted to UIUC communit