Age-dependent expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3B in PBMCs from a large European population enrolled in the MARK-AGE study

Aging is associated with alterations in the content and patterns of DNA methylation virtually throughout the entire human lifespan. Reasons for these variations are not well understood. However, several lines of evidence suggest that the epigenetic instability in aging may be traced back to the alteration of the expression of DNA methyltransferases. Here, the association of the expression of DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3B with age has been analysed in the context of the MARK-AGE study, a large-scale cross-sectional study of the European general population. Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we assessed the variation of DNMT1 and DNMT3B gene expression in more than two thousand age-stratified women and men (35-75 years) recruited across eight European countries. Significant age-related changes were detected for both transcripts. The level of DNMT1 gradually dropped with aging but this was only observed up to the age of 64 years. By contrast, the expression of DNMT3B decreased linearly with increasing age and this association was particularly evident in females. We next attempted to trace the age-related changes of both transcripts to the influence of different variables that have an impact on changes of their expression in the population, including demographics, dietary and health habits, and clinical parameters. Our results indicate that age affects the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3B as an almost independent variable in respect of all other variables evaluated

Impaired phloem loading in zmsweet13a,b,c sucrose transporter triple knock-out mutants in Zea mays

Crop yield is critical for human nutrition, yet the underlying machinery that ultimately determines yield potential is still not understood. Crop productivity under ideal conditions is determined by the efficiency with which plants intercept light, convert it into chemical energy, translocate photosynthates and convert these to storage products in harvestable organs (Zhu et al., 2010). In many crops, sucrose is the primary form for translocation inside the conduit (i.e. the phloem). A combination of SWEETmediated efflux from phloem parenchyma and subsequent secondary active sucrose import by SUT sucrose/H+ symporters is thought to create the driving force for pressure gradient-driven phloem transport and retrieval of sucrose leaking along the translocation path (Chen et al., 2015a)

Cellular Dysfunction in Diabetes as Maladaptive Response to Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress has been implicated in diabetes long-term complications. In this paper, we summarize the growing evidence suggesting that hyperglycemia-induced overproduction of superoxide by mitochondrial electron transport chain triggers a maladaptive response by affecting several metabolic and signaling pathways involved in the pathophysiology of cellular dysfunction and diabetic complications. In particular, it is our goal to describe physiological mechanisms underlying the mitochondrial free radical production and regulation to explain the oxidative stress derived from a high intracellular glucose concentration and the resulting maladaptive response that leads to a cellular dysfunction and pathological state. Finally, we outline potential therapies for diabetes focused to the prevention of mitochondrial oxidative damage

From arts marketing to audience enrichment: how digital engagement can deepen and democratize artistic exchange with audiences

There remains a significant gap in the scholarly literature on the processes, benefits and challenges of digital engagement in the arts. This article presents and critically analyses the findings of one of the largest mixed-methods studies ever conducted into audience engagement with dance. Based on a rigorous mixed-methods approach comprising participant and audience surveys, discussion groups, depth interviews, netnography and content analysis of a new responsive online platform based on Liz Lerman’s renowned Critical Response Process, this study investigates the potential of digital engagement to facilitate context and audience anticipation; foster a culture of constructive critical enquiry between arts organizations, artists and audiences; and break down barriers to attendance. The study’s key findings indicated that responsive digital platforms can democratize critical exchange; foster slower, more reflective critique; and positively shift perceptions of unfamiliar artforms amongst non-attenders. A sustained process of digital engagement during the creative process was revealed to facilitate contextualization and cognitive decoding and thus enhance kinaesthetic and emotional engagement during an ensuing live performance. However, confirming previous findings, it proved challenging to maintain engagement amongst online participants, particularly amongst non-attenders, which reinforced the importance of social modes of engagement. Ultimately this kind of digital platform has the potential to encourage a deeper, richer, more relational and democratic engagement between audiences, artists and arts organizations. Beyond the arts, the platform was shown to impact positively on participants’ wider feedback mechanisms, both at work and at home, indicating its potential wider educational and sociological role in enhancing interpersonal skills and encouraging empathy with others

Life as Screen? Or how to grasp the virtuality of the body?

In her book Life on the Screen, Sherry Turkle assumes that the new computer technologies materialize “postmodern theory and bring it down to earth”. Turkle is not the only “cyber-theorist” defining the new technologies as a kind of materialization or visualization of something previously invisible. But in doing so, such theorists erase important differences: that of a topological and a descriptive notion of the unconscious, between the Other and the other, between the body and its unconscious image, and between gender and sexual difference. Various examples of cybertheories and (art) practice (media art, net-projects) demonstrate this impulse to erase these differences. But when an equation is made between the unconsciousness and the cyberspace, a crucial difference is lost, namely that which constitutes the space of the subject.In her book Life on the Screen, Sherry Turkle assumes that the new computer technologies materialize “postmodern theory and bring it down to earth”. Turkle is not the only “cyber-theorist” defining the new technologies as a kind of materialization or visualization of something previously invisible. But in doing so, such theorists erase important differences: that of a topological and a descriptive notion of the unconscious, between the Other and the other, between the body and its unconscious image, and between gender and sexual difference. Various examples of cybertheories and (art) practice (media art, net-projects) demonstrate this impulse to erase these differences. But when an equation is made between the unconsciousness and the cyberspace, a crucial difference is lost, namely that which constitutes the space of the subject

Green's functions perspective on nonequilibrium thermodynamics of open quantum systems strongly coupled to baths

We give nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) perspective on thermodynamics formulations for open quantum systems strongly coupled to baths. Scattering approach implying thermodynamic consideration of a super-system (system plus baths) weakly coupled to external super-baths is compared with consideration of thermodynamics of a system strongly coupled to its baths. We analyze both approaches from the NEGF perspective and argue that the latter yields a possibility of thermodynamic formulation consistent with dynamical (quantum transport) description.Comment: 6 page

A Multifaceted Approach to Address Variation in Cannabis Sativa

For thousands of years, humans have cultivated and dispersed Cannabis sativa L. across the globe. Although Cannabis has been largely illegal worldwide for decades, public perceptions and attitudes are changing. Increasing interest in potential Cannabis usage worldwide and nationwide is leading to less restrictions to make way for an expanding and lucrative industry with numerous applications. Although only one species is formally recognized in the Cannabis genus, thousands of years of artificial selection for diverse phenotypes and uses have resulted in two major usage groups; hemp-types which are defined worldwide as having very low levels of THC (\u3c 1.0%), and drug-types which exceed a specified level of THC that varies among nations. The drug-type category includes three commonly used subcategories including Sativa, Indica and Hybrid types, and newly developed high CBD varieties that have more THC than hemp-types but are not bred for high THC. The quality of federally produced Cannabis for medical studies in the U.S. has recently been brought into question, and we included samples to determine the genetic relationship to these groups. Phenotypic variation in Cannabis gives rise to commonly referenced categories, but sources of variation are unclear and understudied. Phenotypes are observable characteristics that results from a combination of both genotype and the environment. The preferred method of propagation for Cannabis is cloning, and therefore variation within varietals should be from differences in environmental factors. Ten microsatellite markers were developed de-novo to investigate four aims: (1) genetic variation within strains, (2) genetic relationships among the common categories, (3) if genetic variation is detectable through olfactory sensation, and (4) how genetic variation is reflected in phytochemical levels. This dissertation includes four manuscript chapters representing each aim and uses a genetic basis for a multifaceted approach to investigate variation in Cannabis sativa. Substantial genetic variation was found within strains from obtained from different facilities. Genetic divergence between hemp and drug-types was genetically supported, but the Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid subcategories were not genetically well defined. The high CBD strains appear to bridge the genetic gap between hemp and drug-types, and federally grown research grade marijuana was genetically more similar to hemp than Cannabis available through the legal cannabis market. Genetic imposters within a strain had measurable aromatic differences, but there was considerable variation in aromas among samples with identical genetic identity. Analyses of both terpene and cannabinoid profiles among individuals with identical genotypes acquired from different sources varied considerably indicating environmental variation has a substantial impact on phenotype in Cannabis. Together these results show a need for the Cannabis industry to implement regulatory checks in the form of genetic testing in order to provide consistency, especially for medical applications. These results demonstrate the need for genotyping in order for phenotypic consistency to be achieved if standard growing conditions can be established. When genetic verification and standard protocols are established, deviations in phenotypic changes can be identified and disclosed to consumers so they are aware that there may be abnormal effects. This investigation highlights the need for additional research to provide consistent products, which is especially important for medical marijuana flower products. In order to provide consumers consistent products, it is imperative to understand sources of variation. Consumers deserve to be provided with quality consistent products as the industry continues to grow on a global scale