Social Epigenetics of Human Behavior

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Adkins ◽  
Kelli M. Rasmussen ◽  
Anna R. Docherty
Keyword(s):  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Current State ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Social Adversity ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Negative Health Outcomes ◽  
Downstream Gene Expression

It is well established that extreme social adversity can lead to negative health outcomes decades after the resolution of the precipitating environmental insult. Although the underlying mechanisms through which such adversity gets “under the skin” to become biologically embedded have long been considered a black box, recent research has indicated an important mediating role for epigenetic mechanisms—molecular modifications that regulate gene activity without changing the DNA sequence. With technical and scientific developments now enabling genome-wide epigenetic studies in humans, behavioral researchers have an unprecedented opportunity to empirically map the ways in which social dynamics become epigenetically embedded, influencing downstream gene expression, health, and behavior. This chapter examines the current state of social epigenetics research and discusses the opportunities and challenges facing this emerging field.

The More You Say, the Less They Hear

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsbeth D. Asbeek Brusse ◽  
Marieke L. Fransen ◽  
Edith G. Smit
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Entertainment Education ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Attitude Measures ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract. This study examined the effects of disclosure messages in entertainment-education (E-E) on attitudes toward hearing protection and attitude toward the source. In addition, the (mediating) role of the underlying mechanisms (i.e., transportation, identification, and counterarguing) was studied. In an experiment (N = 336), three different disclosure messages were compared with a no-disclosure condition. The results show that more explicit disclosure messages negatively affect transportation and identification and stimulate the generation of counterarguments. In addition, the more explicit disclosure messages affect both attitude measures via two of these processes (i.e., transportation and counterarguing). Less explicit disclosure messages do not have this effect. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Liver and Statins: A Critical Appraisal of the Evidence

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (42) ◽  
pp. 5835-5846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Licata ◽  
Antonina Giammanco ◽  
Maria Giovanna Minissale ◽  
Salvatore Pagano ◽  
Salvatore Petta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Organic Anion ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Drug Induced Liver Injury ◽  
Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Statins are a class of drugs whose main adverse effects are drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and myopathy. Some of these may be predictable, due to their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, while others, unfortunately, are idiosyncratic. Genetic factors may also influence patient susceptibility to DILI and myopathy in the case of statins. This review will first discuss the role of statins in cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention and the underlying mechanisms of action. Furthermore, to explore the susceptibility of statin-induced adverse events such as myopathy and hepatotoxicity, it will then focus on the recent Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) concerning the transporter genes, Cytochrome P450 (CYP), organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) and ABCB1 and ABCC1, which seem to play a role in the development of clinically relevant adverse events. Finally, we appraise the evidence for and against the use of statins in metabolic syndrome and in HCV-infected patients, in terms of their safety and efficacy in cardiovascular events.

scholarly journals From Micro to Long: Non-Coding RNAs in Tamoxifen Resistance of Breast Cancer Cells

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3688
Author(s):  
Jéssica Fernanda Barazetti ◽  
Tayana Shultz Jucoski ◽  
Tamyres Mingorance Carvalho ◽  
Rafaela Nasser Veiga ◽  
Ana Flávia Kohler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Hormone Receptor ◽  
Estrogen Receptor Alpha ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Tamoxifen Resistance ◽  
Hormone Receptor Positive ◽  
Current State ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Multiple Signaling

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Two thirds of patients are classified as hormone receptor positive, based on expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), the main driver of breast cancer cell proliferation, and/or progesterone receptor, which is regulated by ERα. Despite presenting the best prognosis, these tumors can recur when patients acquire resistance to treatment by aromatase inhibitors or antiestrogen such as tamoxifen (Tam). The mechanisms that are involved in Tam resistance are complex and involve multiple signaling pathways. Recently, roles for microRNAs and lncRNAs in controlling ER expression and/or tamoxifen action have been described, but the underlying mechanisms are still little explored. In this review, we will discuss the current state of knowledge on the roles of microRNAs and lncRNAs in the main mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance in hormone receptor positive breast cancer. In the future, this knowledge can be used to identify patients at a greater risk of relapse due to the expression patterns of ncRNAs that impact response to Tam, in order to guide their treatment more efficiently and possibly to design therapeutic strategies to bypass mechanisms of resistance.

scholarly journals Extending Geodemographics Using Data Primitives: A Review and a Methodological Proposal

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 386
Author(s):  
Jennie Gray ◽  
Lisa Buckner ◽  
Alexis Comber
Keyword(s):  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Feature Space ◽  
Social Processes ◽  
Multiple Time ◽  
Current State ◽  
Cluster Label ◽  
Static Data ◽  
The Social ◽  
Using Data

This paper reviews geodemographic classifications and developments in contemporary classifications. It develops a critique of current approaches and identifiea a number of key limitations. These include the problems associated with the geodemographic cluster label (few cluster members are typical or have the same properties as the cluster centre) and the failure of the static label to describe anything about the underlying neighbourhood processes and dynamics. To address these limitations, this paper proposed a data primitives approach. Data primitives are the fundamental dimensions or measurements that capture the processes of interest. They can be used to describe the current state of an area in a multivariate feature space, and states can be compared over multiple time periods for which data are available, through for example a change vector approach. In this way, emergent social processes, which may be too weak to result in a change in a cluster label, but are nonetheless important signals, can be captured. As states are updated (for example, as new data become available), inferences about different social processes can be made, as well as classification updates if required. State changes can also be used to determine neighbourhood trajectories and to predict or infer future states. A list of data primitives was suggested from a review of the mechanisms driving a number of neighbourhood-level social processes, with the aim of improving the wider understanding of the interaction of complex neighbourhood processes and their effects. A small case study was provided to illustrate the approach. In this way, the methods outlined in this paper suggest a more nuanced approach to geodemographic research, away from a focus on classifications and static data, towards approaches that capture the social dynamics experienced by neighbourhoods.

scholarly journals 306 - Loneliness and mortality in older adults and the role of depression

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 64-64
Author(s):  
T.J. Holwerda ◽  
D. Rhebergen ◽  
H.C. Comijs ◽  
J.J.M. Dekker ◽  
M.L. Stek
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Perspective ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression

Background:The prevalence of loneliness increases with age. The presence of loneliness in older adults has been found to be associated with health problems such as depression, decreased cognitive functioning, increases in systolic blood pressure and increased mortality. The underlying mechanisms of the higher mortality risk are largely unknown.Methods:Meta-analysis to investigate the present evidence for the associations between loneliness and mortality. Cross-sectional studies investigating the associations between loneliness and cardiovascular disease and between loneliness and cortisol in 378 depressed and 132 non-depressed older adults.Results:Loneliness appears to be associated with increased mortality, although when only studies are included that consider depression as a covariate, the association is not significant. Therefore it seems likely that depression plays a mediating role in the higher mortality risk.We did not find a significant association between loneliness and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, loneliness was significantly associated with lower cortisol output and decreased dexamethasone suppression.Discussion:The results and their implications for prevention and treatment will be discussed from a clinical perspective as well as a general health perspective. Is loneliness as potentially dangerous as depression?

scholarly journals Conditional regard, stress, and dyadic adjustment in primiparous couples: A dyadic analysis perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752199356
Author(s):  
Alexandra Cournoyer ◽  
Julie C. Laurin ◽  
Marie-Ève Daspe ◽  
Sophie Laniel ◽  
Anne-Sophie Huppé
Keyword(s):  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment ◽  
Dyadic Analysis ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Relationship

Many couples transitioning into parenthood are at risk for dyadic adjustment declines. It is therefore important to explore key, theory-driven deterrents of enduring relationships during this period, as well as potential underlying mechanisms. This study examined the relationship between perceived conditional negative regard (i.e. a behavior that thwarts basic psychological needs; T1), stress (T1), and dyadic adjustment (T2) during the transition to parenthood. Primiparous couples ( N = 144) were recruited to fill out an online questionnaire when their babies were 6-months (T1) and 12-months (T2). Path analysis with an Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was conducted. Results show that for each partner (actor effects), stress (T1) mediated the link between perceived conditional negative regard (T1), and later dyadic adjustment (T2). For the partner effects, while stress (T1) did not play a mediating role between these variables, other partner effects were found. Each primiparous parent’s perceived conditional negative regard (T1) was associated with the other parent’s later dyadic adjustment (T2). However, when examining longitudinal changes in stress and dyadic adjustment over time (T2, controlling for respective T1), no significant associations were found. Overall, the findings shed light on the dyadic associations of conditional negative regard, and the mechanisms through which it is negatively tied with dyadic adjustment during the transition to parenthood.

Mother Phubbing and Adolescent Cyberbullying: The Mediating Role of Perceived Mother Acceptance and the Moderating Role of Emotional Stability

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052098390
Author(s):  
Jiahui Qu ◽  
Li Lei ◽  
Xingchao Wang ◽  
Xiaochun Xie ◽  
Pengcheng Wang
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Emotional Stability ◽  
School Students ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Indirect Path ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Relationship

Previous studies have found some risk factors of cyberbullying. However, little is known about how mother phubbing may influence adolescent cyberbullying, and the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship. “Phubbing,” which is a portmanteau of “phone” and “subbing,” refers to snubbing other people and focus on smartphones in social interactions. This study examined whether mother phubbing, which refers to being phubbed by one’s mother, would be positively related to adolescent cyberbullying, whether perceived mother acceptance would mediate the relationship between mother phubbing and adolescent cyberbullying, and whether emotional stability would moderate the pathways between mother phubbing and adolescent cyberbullying. The sample consisted of 4,213 Chinese senior high school students (mean age 16.41 years, SD = 0.77, 53% were female). Participants completed measurements regarding mother phubbing, cyberbullying, perceived mother acceptance, and emotional stability. The results indicated that mother phubbing was positively related to cyberbullying, which was mediated by perceived mother acceptance. Further, moderated mediation analyses showed that emotional stability moderated the direct path between mother phubbing and cyberbullying and the indirect path between mother phubbing and perceived mother acceptance. This study highlighted the harmful impact of mother phubbing on adolescents by showing a positive association between mother phubbing and adolescent cyberbullying, as well as the underlying mechanisms between mother phubbing and adolescent cyberbullying.

“Scrub”

2012 ◽  
Vol 642 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott N. Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Social Worlds ◽  
Site Analysis ◽  
Ethnographic Fieldwork ◽  
The Social ◽  
Specific Setting ◽  
Group Members ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Complete Account

Conducting ethnographic fieldwork in varied spaces, with different actors, enriches our understanding. A researcher may find paradoxes in practices and ideas and ask for clarification, or recognize that social dynamics and behavior are peculiar to group members present in a specific setting. This article highlights the usefulness of intentional variability and flexibility in the field. Researchers should plan to do multi-site analysis (MSA) to look for negative cases and opportunities to challenge commonsense notions. Additionally, this article emphasizes that the relationships built during fieldwork shape the data that are captured. Therefore, researchers need to consider the bases for their relationships, including what the subjects get out of them, and how subjects’ positionality affects what comes to be known. This perspective de-emphasizes false norms of objectivity and renders a more complete account of the social worlds we study.

The Current State of Relationship Science: A Cross-Disciplines Review of Key Themes, Theories, Researchers and Journals

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110476
Author(s):  
Jennifer A Sharkey ◽  
Jacqueline S Feather ◽  
Sonja Goedeke
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Current State ◽  
Relationship Processes ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

This article provides a circumscribed descriptive analysis of the current state of research worldwide related to adult romantic relationship processes and their underlying mechanisms. A scoping review was used to gather data. This yielded 15,418 eligible articles from 1,687 different academic journals. From these, we outline key themes and theories arising in the last seven decades and note the most prolific journals and authors. The study of relational wellbeing has focused on overt behaviors such as communication and commitment, on underlying attitudes and motives such as empathy and contempt, and on substrates and circumstances such as neurobiological functioning and life stressors. The results reveal the strong interdisciplinary research underpinnings of the field of relationship science and show up key influences over its expansion. Results are intended to give an overview of key peer reviewed research that has contributed to the development of current scientific knowledge and theory development in this field.

scholarly journals Gene-specific mechanisms direct glucocorticoid-receptor-driven repression of inflammatory response genes in macrophages

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A Sacta ◽  
Bowranigan Tharmalingam ◽  
Maddalena Coppo ◽  
David A Rollins ◽  
Dinesh K Deochand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glucocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Myeloid Cell ◽  
Genome Wide Analysis ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Mouse Macrophages ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Temporal Events

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) potently represses macrophage-elicited inflammation, however, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Our genome-wide analysis in mouse macrophages reveals that pro-inflammatory paused genes, activated via global negative elongation factor (NELF) dissociation and RNA Polymerase (Pol)2 release from early elongation arrest, and non-paused genes, induced by de novo Pol2 recruitment, are equally susceptible to acute glucocorticoid repression. Moreover, in both cases the dominant mechanism involves rapid GR tethering to p65 at NF-kB-binding sites. Yet, specifically at paused genes, GR activation triggers widespread promoter accumulation of NELF, with myeloid cell-specific NELF deletion conferring glucocorticoid resistance. Conversely, at non-paused genes, GR attenuates the recruitment of p300 and histone acetylation, leading to a failure to assemble BRD4 and Mediator at promoters and enhancers, ultimately blocking Pol2 initiation. Thus, GR displays no preference for a specific pro-inflammatory gene class; however, it effects repression by targeting distinct temporal events and components of transcriptional machinery.

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