Synaesthesia quotient: operationalising an individual index of phenotypic expressivity of developmental synaesthesia

The primary purpose of our current study is to develop a novel selfadministered or/and interviewer-assisted instrument rating an individual degree of phenotypic expressivity of synaesthesia. A measurement index of such a degree is conceptualised as Synaesthesia Quotient (SynQ). This article will detail the initial stage of the scale development; i.e., conceptualisation, domains identification, item generation, and identification of rating values of the proposed scale. Ten preliminary domains are determined and related items are generated on the basis of empirical data from synaesthesia literature review, extant measures, and external neuroscientific results. Further work is underway to perform judgment-based item expansion (or reduction) informed by expert opinion and to assess the validity and reliability of the Synaesthesia Quotient inventory (SynQ-i). This paper is also intended to solicit postpublication feedback and generate specialist discussion

Uniform materials and the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient in finite elasto-plasticity

In this work we analyze the relation between the multiplicative decomposition $\mathbf F=\mathbf F^{e}\mathbf F^{p}$ of the deformation gradient as a product of the elastic and plastic factors and the theory of uniform materials. We prove that postulating such a decomposition is equivalent to having a uniform material model with two configurations - total $\phi$ and the inelastic $\phi_{1}$. We introduce strain tensors characterizing different types of evolutions of the material and discuss the form of the internal energy and that of the dissipative potential. The evolution equations are obtained for the configurations $(\phi,\phi_{1})$ and the material metric $\mathbf g$. Finally the dissipative inequality for the materials of this type is presented.It is shown that the conditions of positivity of the internal dissipation terms related to the processes of plastic and metric evolution provide the anisotropic yield criteria

Elastic theory of unconstrained non-Euclidean plates

Non-Euclidean plates are a subset of the class of elastic bodies having no stress-free configuration. Such bodies exhibit residual stress when relaxed from all external constraints, and may assume complicated equilibrium shapes even in the absence of external forces. In this work we present a mathematical framework for such bodies in terms of a covariant theory of linear elasticity, valid for large displacements. We propose the concept of non-Euclidean plates to approximate many naturally formed thin elastic structures. We derive a thin plate theory, which is a generalization of existing linear plate theories, valid for large displacements but small strains, and arbitrary intrinsic geometry. We study a particular example of a hemispherical plate. We show the occurrence of a spontaneous buckling transition from a stretching dominated configuration to bending dominated configurations, under variation of the plate thickness

The histopathological spectrum of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) and its differentiation from generalized pustular psoriasis

Background: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) represents a severe, acute, pustular skin reaction that is most often induced by drugs. AGEP can be difficult to differentiate from generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) both clinically and histopathologically. We present a systematic description of the histopathological spectrum of AGEP and GPP with a focus on discriminating features. Materials and methods: A retrospective, descriptive, comparative histopathological study was completed utilizing step sections of 43 biopsies of 29 cases with a validated diagnosis of probable or definite AGEP and 24 biopsies of 19 cases with an established diagnosis of GPP. Results: In AGEP, biopsies from erythema and pustules showed minor differences, whereas histopathology of the acute stage of GPP showed major differences compared to the chronic stage. Comparing AGEP and GPP, the presence of eosinophils, necrotic keratinocytes, a mixed interstitial and mid-dermal perivascular infiltrate and absence of tortuous or dilated blood vessels were in favor of AGEP. Moreover, chronic GPP was characterized by prominent epidermal psoriatic changes. The frequency of a psoriatic background of AGEP patients in our study was higher than that of psoriasis in the general population. However, histopathology of a subgroup of AGEP patients with a personal history of psoriasis revealed no significant differences from the other AGEP patients. Conclusions: The spectrum of histopathological features of both AGEP and GPP is presented. Despite considerable overlap, subtle consistent histopathological differences and the grade of severity of specific features can help in differentiation. We could neither substantiate earlier reports that follicular pustules exclude AGEP nor did we see vasculitis as a specific feature in AGEP. Our study also supports the concept that AGEP is a separate entity that is distinct from GPP. Kardaun SH, Kuiper H, Fidler V, Jonkman MF. The histopathological spectrum of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) and its differentiation from generalized pustular psoriasis

Cross-modal associations between paintings and sounds : effects of embodiment

This work was supported by the Templeton Religion Trust (grant number TRT0354).The present study investigated cross-modal associations between a series of paintings and sounds. We studied the effects of sound congruency (congruent vs. non-congruent sounds) and embodiment (embodied vs. synthetic sounds) on the evaluation of abstract and figurative paintings. Participants evaluated figurative and abstract paintings paired with congruent and non-congruent embodied and synthetic sounds. They also evaluated the perceived meaningfulness of the paintings, aesthetic value and immersive experience of the paintings. Embodied sounds (sounds associated with bodily sensations, bodily movements and touch) were more strongly associated with figurative paintings, while synthetic sounds (non-embodied sounds) were more strongly associated with abstract paintings. Sound congruency increased the perceived meaningfulness, immersive experience and aesthetic value of paintings. Sound embodiment increased immersive experience of paintings.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Circulating Glucocorticoid Bioactivity and Serum Glucocorticoid-Responsive Biomarkers during Steroid Therapy in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective: Glucocorticoid therapy is used worldwide to treat various inflammatory and immune conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD, 80% of the patients obtain a positive response to the therapy; however the development of glucocorticoid-related side-effects is common. Our aim was therefore to study the possibility of optimizing glucocorticoid therapy in children and adolescents with IBD by measuring circulating glucocorticoid bioactivity (GBA) and serum glucocorticoid-responsive biomarkers in patients receiving steroid treatment for active disease. Methods: A total of sixty-nine paediatric IBD patients from the Paediatric Outpatient Clinics of the University Hospitals of Helsinki and Tampere participated in the studies. Control patients included 101 non-IBD patients and 41 disease controls in remission. In patients with active disease, blood samples were withdrawn before the glucocorticoid therapy was started, at 2-4 weeks after the initiation of the steroid and at 1-month intervals thereafter. Clinical response to glucocorticoid treatment and the development of steroid adverse events was carefully registered. GBA was analyzed with a COS-1 cell bioassay. The measured glucocorticoid therapy-responsive biomarkers included adipocyte-derived adiponectin and leptin, bone turnover-related collagen markers amino-terminal type I procollagen propeptide (PINP) and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) as well as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Results: The most promising marker for glucocorticoid sensitivity was serum adiponectin that associated with steroid therapy–related adverse events. Serum leptin indicated a similar trend. In contrast, circulating GBA rose in all subjects receiving glucocorticoid treatment but did not associate with the clinical response to steroids or with glucocorticoid therapy-related side-effects. Of notice, young patients (<10 years) showed similar GBA levels than older patients, despite receiving higher weight-adjusted doses of glucocorticoid. Markers of bone formation were lower in children with active IBD than in the control patients, probably reflecting the suppressive effect of the active inflammation. The onset of the glucocorticoid therapy further suppressed bone turnover. Inflammatory marker hs-CRP decreased readily after the initiation of the steroid, however the decrease did not associate with the clinical response to glucocorticoids. Conclusions: This is the first study to show that adipocyte-derived adiponectin associates with steroid therapy-induced side-effects. Further studies are needed, but it is possible that the adiponectin measurement could aid the recognition of glucocorticoid-sensitive patients in the future. GBA and the other markers reflecting glucocorticoid activity in different tissues changed during the treatment, however their change did not correlate with the therapeutic response to steroids or with the development of glucocorticoid-related side effects and therefore cannot guide the therapy in these patients. Studies such as as the present one that combine clinical data with newly developed biomolecular technology are needed to step-by-step build a general picture of the glucocorticoid actions in different tissues.Tuoreessa väitöstutkimuksessa selvitettiin mahdollisuutta optimoida tulehduksellisia suolisairauksia sairastavien lasten glukokortikoidihoitoa (”kortisoni”) lääkityksen aikana. Mittareina käytettiin sekä glukokortikoidilääkkeen aktiivisuutta verestä mittaavaa määritysmenetelmää että lääkityksen säätelemiä, elimistön eri kudosten tuottamia merkkiaineita. Mittauksista saatuja tuloksia verrattiin ensimmäisen hoitokuukauden aikana ilmenneisiin glukokortikoidihoidon sivuvaikutuksiin sekä potilaiden saamaan hoitovasteeseen. Tutkimuksen aihe on ajankohtainen, sillä glukokortikoidien kulutus jatkaa Suomessa kasvuaan ja hoitoon liittyvät sivuvaikutukset ovat yleisiä. Lisäksi tällä hetkellä ei lääkäreiden käytössä ole yhtään menetelmää, jonka avulla voitaisiin arvioida ennalta potilaiden vastetta glukokortikoideille ja suunnata hoito vain siitä hyötyville. Tulehduksellisissa suolisairauksissa osa sairastuneista jää riippuvaisiksi glukokortikoidihoidosta ja noin 20% potilaista ei saa vastetta lääkitykselle. Lapsipotilaiden kohdalla korostuvat glukokortikoidien haitat kehittyvälle luustolle ja pituuskasvulle. Tutkimuksemme tuloksena olemme ensimmäisinä maailmassa kuvanneet yhteyden rasvasolujen erittämän adiponektiini-hormonin sekä kortisonihoidon ensimmäisten näkyvien sivuvaikutusten välillä. On mahdollista, että adiponektiinimääritys voisi auttaa glukokortikoideista sivuvaikutuksia saavien potilaiden tunnistamista. Sen sijaan verestä mitattava glukokortikoidiaktiivisuus ei ollut yhteydessä lääkityksestä saatavaan vasteeseen tai sivuvaikutusten ilmenemiseen. Tämä viittaisi siihen, että potilaiden vaste lääkitykselle on riippuvainen kudos- ja solutason glukokortikoidiherkkyydestä, ei niinkään verenkierrossa kulkevan lääkeaineen biologisen aktiivisuuden eroista. Luukudoksen muodostumista heijastavien merkkiaineiden tasot olivat aktiivista suolistosairautta sairastavilla lapsilla kontrollipotilaita matalammalla, mikä kertoo aktiivisen tulehduksen luuhun kohdistamasta negatiivisesta vaikutuksesta. Glukokortikoidihoito vaikutti luun aineenvaihduntaa kuvaaviin merkkiaineisiin pääosin laskevasti, mahdollisesti edelleen heikentäen luukudosta. Tulehduksen aktiivisuutta sekä sokeriaineenvaihduntaa kuvaavat merkkiaineet eivät olleet yhteydessä glukokortikoidivasteeseen. Väitöstutkimus yhdistää uudella tavalla vastikään kehitettyjä tutkimusmenetelmiä ja merkkiainemäärityksiä perinteisessä potilastyössä tehtyihin hoitohavaintoihin. Sen lupaavin tulos, adiponektiini-hormonin yhteys glukokortikoidihoidon näkyviin sivuvaikutuksiin, vaatii vielä jatkotutkimuksia. On kuitenkin mahdollista, että adiponektiinimääritystä voitaisiin käyttää potilaiden hoidossa helposti saatavilla olevana glukokortikoidiherkkyyden mittarina. Tutkimustyö glukokortikoidien parissa on tulevaisuudessakin ensiarvoisen tärkeää, jotta potilaiden hoito tällä laajasti käytetyllä lääkeryhmällä olisi mahdollisimman luotettavaa ja turvallista