scholarly journals Young domestic chicks spontaneously represent the absence of objects

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eszter Szabó ◽  
Cinzia Chiandetti ◽  
Ernő Téglás ◽  
Elisabetta Versace ◽  
Gergely Csibra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Novelty Detection ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Domestic Chicks ◽  
Social Partners ◽  
Presence And Absence ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Open Question

SummaryAbsence is a notion that is usually captured by language-related concepts like zero or negation. Whether non-linguistic creatures encode similar thoughts is an open question, as everyday behavior marked by absence (of food, of social partners) can be explained solely by expecting presence somewhere else. We investigated 8-day-old chicks’ looking behavior in response to events violating expectations about the presence or absence of an object. We found different behavioral responses to violations of presence and absence, suggesting distinct underlying mechanisms. Importantly, chicks displayed an avian signature of novelty detection to violations of absence, namely a sex-dependent left-eye-bias. Follow-up experiments excluded accounts that would explain this bias by perceptual mismatch or by representing the object at different locations. These results suggest that the ability to spontaneously form thoughts about the absence of objects likely belongs to the initial cognitive repertoire of vertebrate species.

scholarly journals Promoting recovery in daily life: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Reis ◽  
Alexander Hart ◽  
Dirk Lehr ◽  
Malte Friese
Keyword(s):  
Training Programs ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Main Mechanism ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background Work-related stress shows steadily increasing prevalence rates and has tangible consequences for individual workers, their organizations, and society as a whole. One mechanism that may help offset the negative outcomes of work-related stress on employees’ well-being is recovery. Recovery refers to the experience of unwinding from one's job when not at work. However, employees who experience high levels of work-related stress and are thus particularly in need of recovery tend to struggle to switch-off. Due to the detrimental effects of this prolonged and sustained mental representation of job stressors, interventions promoting recovery may contribute to improvements in employees' mental health. Methods In this randomized, waitlist controlled trial, we will investigate the effectiveness of two 6-week online training programs (cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based). The sample will include employees working at least part-time during regular work hours. Besides the pre-post-follow-up assessments, the trial will include measurement bursts with the goal of examining the underlying mechanisms. We expect that both interventions will reduce work-related perseverative thinking (PT) compared with the waitlist control groups (primary outcome). Also, we expect that both interventions will result in similar improvements, but the underlying mechanisms will differ (process outcomes). In the cognitive-behavioral intervention group, we expect that the main mechanism responsible for lower PT levels will be an increase in recovery experiences across time. In the mindfulness-based group, we expect that the main mechanism responsible for lower PT levels will be an increase in facets of mindfulness across time. Discussion In the present study, we will investigate mechanisms underlying assumed changes in work-related PT in great detail. Besides evaluating the overall effectiveness of the two interventions in terms of pre-post-follow-up changes, we will look at the underlying processes at different levels—that is, within days, within weeks, across weeks, and between individuals. Accordingly, our study will offer a fine-grained approach to investigating potential determinants, mediators, and moderators of the processes that may, in the end, be responsible for work-related strain. From a public health perspective, if effective, the online training programs may offer valuable, low-threshold, and low-intensity interventions for a broad range of occupations. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Registration: DRKS00024933. Registered prospectively 7 April 2021. https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00024933

scholarly journals What Role Does CFTR Play in Development, Differentiation, Regeneration and Cancer?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarida D. Amaral ◽  
Margarida C. Quaresma ◽  
Ines Pankonien
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ◽  
Foetal Development ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Open Question

One of the key features associated with the substantial increase in life expectancy for individuals with CF is an elevated predisposition to cancer, firmly established by recent studies involving large cohorts. With the recent advances in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies and the increased long-term survival rate of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), this is a novel challenge emerging at the forefront of this disease. However, the mechanisms linking dysfunctional CFTR to carcinogenesis have yet to be unravelled. Clues to this challenging open question emerge from key findings in an increasing number of studies showing that CFTR plays a role in fundamental cellular processes such as foetal development, epithelial differentiation/polarization, and regeneration, as well as in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we provide state-of-the-art descriptions on the moonlight roles of CFTR in these processes, highlighting how they can contribute to novel therapeutic strategies. However, such roles are still largely unknown, so we need rapid progress in the elucidation of the underlying mechanisms to find the answers and thus tailor the most appropriate therapeutic approaches.

scholarly journals The Effect of the Chorion on Size-Dependent Acute Toxicity and Underlying Mechanisms of Amine-Modified Silver Nanoparticles in Zebrafish Embryos

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi-Yu Chen ◽  
Nian-Jhen Li ◽  
Fong-Yu Cheng ◽  
Jian-Feng Hsueh ◽  
Chiao-Ching Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Zebrafish Embryo ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Nanoscale Particle Size ◽  
Toxic Reactions

As the worldwide application of nanomaterials in commercial products increases every year, various nanoparticles from industry might present possible risks to aquatic systems and human health. Presently, there are many unknowns about the toxic effects of nanomaterials, especially because the unique physicochemical properties of nanomaterials affect functional and toxic reactions. In our research, we sought to identify the targets and mechanisms for the deleterious effects of two different sizes (~10 and ~50 nm) of amine-modified silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a zebrafish embryo model. Fluorescently labeled AgNPs were taken up into embryos via the chorion. The larger-sized AgNPs (LAS) were distributed throughout developing zebrafish tissues to a greater extent than small-sized AgNPs (SAS), which led to an enlarged chorion pore size. Time-course survivorship revealed dose- and particle size-responsive effects, and consequently triggered abnormal phenotypes. LAS exposure led to lysosomal activity changes and higher number of apoptotic cells distributed among the developmental organs of the zebrafish embryo. Overall, AgNPs of ~50 nm in diameter exhibited different behavior from the ~10-nm-diameter AgNPs. The specific toxic effects caused by these differences in nanoscale particle size may result from the different mechanisms, which remain to be further investigated in a follow-up study.

Exploring the dual effects of perceived waiting on healthcare service satisfaction among outpatients

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 495-518
Author(s):  
Yi-Fen Liu ◽  
Jun-Fang Liao ◽  
Jacob Jou
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Healthcare Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore healthcare waiting time and the negative and positive effects (i.e. the dual effects) it has on outpatient satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach Self-administered surveys with 334 outpatients and follow-up interviews with 20 outpatients in three large hospitals in Taiwan were conducted to collect data. Findings Quantitative surveys demonstrated that perceived waiting time correlated with satisfaction negatively first but then positively. Satisfaction also correlated with doctor reputation and patient sociability. Follow-up qualitative interviews further revealed that, for some patients, waiting contributed positively to patient evaluations through signaling better healthcare quality and facilitating social interaction. Originality/value This research demonstrated the possibility that waiting might have positive effects on healthcare satisfaction. It also identified variables that could produce greater positive perceptions during hospital waiting and underlying mechanisms that could explain how the positive effects work. This research may potentially help hospitals with a better understanding of how they can improve patients’ waiting experiences and increase satisfaction.

scholarly journals A selective transmembrane recognition mechanism by a membrane-anchored ubiquitin ligase adaptor

2020 ◽  
Vol 220 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felichi Mae Arines ◽  
Aaron Jeremy Hamlin ◽  
Xi Yang ◽  
Yun-Yu Jennifer Liu ◽  
Ming Li
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Transmembrane Helix ◽  
Environmental Cues ◽  
Transmembrane Helices ◽  
Recognition Mechanism ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Transmembrane Regions ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Open Question

While it is well-known that E3 ubiquitin ligases can selectively ubiquitinate membrane proteins in response to specific environmental cues, the underlying mechanisms for the selectivity are poorly understood. In particular, the role of transmembrane regions, if any, in target recognition remains an open question. Here, we describe how Ssh4, a yeast E3 ligase adaptor, recognizes the PQ-loop lysine transporter Ypq1 only after lysine starvation. We show evidence of an interaction between two transmembrane helices of Ypq1 (TM5 and TM7) and the single transmembrane helix of Ssh4. This interaction is regulated by the conserved PQ motif. Strikingly, recent structural studies of the PQ-loop family have suggested that TM5 and TM7 undergo major conformational changes during substrate transport, implying that transport-associated conformational changes may determine the selectivity. These findings thus provide critical information concerning the regulatory mechanism through which transmembrane domains can be specifically recognized in response to changing environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Why is AAV FVIII gene therapy not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration yet?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (20) ◽  
pp. 4313-4313
Author(s):  
Valder R. Arruda
Keyword(s):  
Late Onset ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Large Animal Models ◽  
The Us ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Manufacturing Platform ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract The prospect of a clinical strategy using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector for expression of therapeutic levels of factor VIII (FVIII) has been highly desirable. This was initially anticipated by promising data from clinical studies on AAV5-FVIII in men with severe hemophilia A. However, long-term follow-up showed a unique efficacy concern on the sustainability and durability derived from a continuous decline in the FVIII transgene levels starting 1 year after vector injection through year 5. Additional follow-up of early-phase studies and outcomes of an ongoing phase 3 study will likely provide evidence on the feasibility of this approach. Here, the potential underlying mechanisms of the FVIII declining levels, together with the revision of several unique early and late onset findings, are discussed. The lack of long-term preclinical studies in large animal models prevents the firm conclusion that FVIII levels decline was unexpected. It is possible that the combination of vector manufacturing platform and dose, accompanied with ectopic expression of supraphysiologic levels of FVIII at short-term follow-up, may all contribute to the sustainability and durability of the transgene levels. Notably, vector readministration to further improve the FVIII levels is not feasible at this time. Thus, the need of a one-and-done AAV strategy to achieve sustain FVIII levels of expression is sine qua non to impact favorably the disease phenotype.

scholarly journals Ariadne’s Clew Absence and presence in the facilitation of philosophical conversations

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Worley
Keyword(s):  
Structural Aspect ◽  
Years Of Experience ◽  
Psychological Dimension ◽  
Presence And Absence ◽  
Open Question

Drawing on fifteen years of experience as a practitioner of doing philosophy in primary (ages 3-11) and secondary (ages 11-18) school classrooms, I will describe and attempt to justify (appealing to ownership and philosophical dialectic) two broad, over-arching principles, presence and absence: the extent to which a facilitator influences (presence) or deliberately refrains from influencing (absence) philosophical enquiry. While it is expected that the facilitator will and should be present in the discussion, this paper pays special attention to the extent to which a facilitator judges that presence appropriate. I revisit the notion of open and closed questions but, instead of considering the structural aspect (Worley 2015b), I address the psychological dimension of open and closed questioning, what I have called ‘Open Question Mindset’ (OQM) and its opposite ‘Closed Question Mindset’ (CQM). I consider two of the main ways in which teachers commonly demonstrate CQM: ‘Guess-what’s-in-my-head’ questioning and ‘Guess-what’s-in-your-head’ questioning/inferring. OQM, together with the notion of ‘intentional sensitivity’—sensitivity to the student’s intentions rather than only to the surface-meaning or logical implications of their utterances—allows me to suggest ways in which one may practically meet the requirements of presence and absence. One particular aspect of facilitation that I consider, and recommend being mindful of, is paraphrasing or interpreting, especially with regard to hidden premises that might be thought implied by things children say. I recommend consciously refraining from interpreting children’s contributions (absence), and instead working hard to elicit or ‘excavate’ children’s intentions and meanings through careful OQM questioning (presence). 

P4684Differential right ventricular adaptation patterns to chronic pressure overload

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Garcia Lunar ◽  
D Pereda ◽  
M Ascaso ◽  
P Jorda ◽  
C Galan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Heart Catheterization ◽  
Sham Operation ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Pulmonary Shunt ◽  
Large Animal Models ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is the most important prognostic factor in chronic pulmonary hypertension (PH), but its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Clinical observation and prior experimental work suggest that RV pressure overload is not the only cause since the degree of RV adaptation varies with similar RV end-systolic pressures. Purpose Our aim was to characterize serial RV adaptation by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in 3 different experimental large-animal models of increased afterload: a model of chronic postcapillary PH, a model of PH secondary to systemic-to-pulmonary shunt and a model of mechanical RV pressure overload (generated by pulmonary artery [PA] banding). Methods Four-week old piglets underwent pulmonary vein banding surgery to generate the chronic postcapillary PH model (n=20), aorto-pulmonary shunt (n=6), PA banding (n=7) or sham operation (n=7). They were followed up monthly with CMR and right heart catheterization (RHC). All procedures followed the “Principles of laboratory animal care”. Comparison of continuous variables among groups was performed with Mann-Whitney U test. Results Animals with either postcapillary PH or PH secondary to aorto-pulmonary shunt presented significant RV dilatation, hypertrophy and dysfunction that was maintained during follow-up (median RV end-systolic volume [RVESV]=32.6 ml/m2 for postcapillary PH and 32.6 ml/m2 for shunt vs. 16.1 ml/m2 in sham controls; median RV ejection fraction [RVEF]=61.5% for postcapillary PH and 60.5% for shunt vs. 69.6% in sham controls at the end of follow-up). Animals with PA banding also presented with significant RV dilatation and hypertrophy at the first month follow-up, but unlike all other groups, they developed reverse RV remodeling from the second month onwards and maintained normal RV volumes and RVEF values until the end of follow-up despite having severe RV hypertrophy (RV mass 22.6 g/m2 in PA banding vs. 16.1 g/m2 in controls at the 4th month follow-up; Figure). CMR parameters (median values). Conclusion In PH there is a maladaptive RV hypertrophy that is not present in a model of progressive RV pressure overload without alterations of the pulmonary circulation. Increased RV pressure overload alone does not fully explain PH-associated RV dysfunction. Further research is needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms of adaptive and maladaptive hypertrophy in PH. Acknowledgement/Funding The CNIC is supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaciόn y Universidades and the Pro CNIC Foundation, and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence

scholarly journals Does breast milk adiponectin affect BMI and cardio-metabolic markers in childhood?

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (8) ◽  
pp. 905-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenie van Rossem ◽  
Henriette A. Smit ◽  
Eef G. W. M. Lentjes ◽  
Inge Maitimu-Smeele ◽  
Bert Brunekreef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
Metabolic Markers ◽  
Glucose And Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
Mite Allergy ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Pregnancy Weight

AbstractObservational studies suggest that breast-feeding is associated with a more favourable BMI and cardio-metabolic markers, but potential underlying mechanisms are unclear. As serum adiponectin has an important function in adults for glucose and lipid metabolism, we assessed 251 participants of the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy birth cohort whether breast milk adiponectin is associated with childhood BMI and cardio-metabolic markers. We measured adiponectin levels in breast milk collected around 3 months after birth of the child and subsequently obtained weight and height repeatedly up to the age of 17 years. A medical examination (including blood pressure, glycated Hb and cholesterol) was performed at the age of 8, 12 and 16 years. We used multivariable mixed models to assess the association between breast milk adiponectin and BMI and cardio-metabolic markers at these ages. In models adjusted for exact age of breast milk collection, maternal age, presence of siblings, maternal BMI, pregnancy weight gain and child’s birth weight, each unit increase in log breast milk adiponectin (in ng/ml) was associated with a 0·28 lower BMI z score (95 % CI –0·56, 0·00) at 3 months. After the age of 1 year, there was a tendency towards a higher BMI z score with increased breast milk adiponectin at some ages, but this pattern was not consistent throughout childhood. There were no associations between breast milk adiponectin and any of the cardio-metabolic markers in childhood. We conclude that in our study with follow-up until 17 years of age, breast milk adiponectin has no long-term effect on BMI and cardio-metabolic health during childhood.

Oases in the Sahara Desert – Linking Biological and Cultural Diversity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Tydecks ◽  
Jonathan Jeschke ◽  
Christiane Zarfl ◽  
Katrin Boehning-gaese ◽  
Brigitta Schütt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Biocultural Diversity ◽  
Sahara Desert ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Diversity Of Life ◽  
Test Current

The diversity of life sensu lato comprises both biological and cultural diversity, described as “biocultural diversity”. Similar to plant and animal species, cultures and languages are threatened by extinction, too. Since drylands are pivotal systems for nature and people alike, we use oases in the Sahara Desert as model systems for examining patterns and trends of biocultural diversity. We identify both the underlying drivers of diversity and the potential proxies that are fundamental to understand reciprocal linkages between biological and cultural diversity in oases. In the case of oases in Algeria, we test current indices describing and quantifying biocultural diversity, and identify their limitations. Finally, we discuss follow-up research questions to better understand the underlying mechanisms that control the coupling and decoupling of biological and cultural diversity in oases.

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