scholarly journals Potential impact of primate-specific SVA retrotransposons during the evolution of human cognitive function

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Vasieva ◽  
Sultan Cetiner ◽  
Abigail Savage ◽  
Gerald G. Schumann ◽  
Vivien J. Bubb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Genome ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Parental Behavior ◽  
Modern Human ◽  
Human Central Nervous System ◽  
Behavioral Features ◽  
Ontological Categories ◽  
Potential Impact

The SVA family of hominid-specific non-LTR retrotransposon comprises the youngest group of transposable elements in the human genome. The propagation of the most ancient SVA subfamily took place about 13.5 million years ago, and the youngest SVA subfamily appeared in the human genome after the human/chimpanzee divergence. Functional analysis of genes associated with SVA insertions demonstrated their link to multiple ontological categories, with one of the major categories being attributed to brain function. Further analysis of this subset demonstrated that SVA elements expanded their presence in the human genome at different stages of hominoid evolution and were associated with progressively evolving behavioral features that indicate a potential impact of SVA propagation on the cognitive ability of a modern human. Our analysis suggests a potential role of SVAs in the evolution of human central nervous system and especially in the emergence of functional trends relevant to social and parental behavior. Coevolution of behavioral features and reproductive functions are suggested by our analysis and discussed.

scholarly journals Tryptophan Metabolism: A Link Between the Gut Microbiota and Brain

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 709-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kan Gao ◽  
Chun-long Mu ◽  
Aitak Farzi ◽  
Wei-yun Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Tryptophan Metabolism ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Synthesis And Degradation

ABSTRACT The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a bilateral communication network between the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the central nervous system. The essential amino acid tryptophan contributes to the normal growth and health of both animals and humans and, importantly, exerts modulatory functions at multiple levels of the GBA. Tryptophan is the sole precursor of serotonin, which is a key monoamine neurotransmitter participating in the modulation of central neurotransmission and enteric physiological function. In addition, tryptophan can be metabolized into kynurenine, tryptamine, and indole, thereby modulating neuroendocrine and intestinal immune responses. The gut microbial influence on tryptophan metabolism emerges as an important driving force in modulating tryptophan metabolism. Here, we focus on the potential role of tryptophan metabolism in the modulation of brain function by the gut microbiota. We start by outlining existing knowledge on tryptophan metabolism, including serotonin synthesis and degradation pathways of the host, and summarize recent advances in demonstrating the influence of the gut microbiota on tryptophan metabolism. The latest evidence revealing those mechanisms by which the gut microbiota modulates tryptophan metabolism, with subsequent effects on brain function, is reviewed. Finally, the potential modulation of intestinal tryptophan metabolism as a therapeutic option for brain and GI functional disorders is also discussed.

scholarly journals A Chronological Atlas of Natural Selection in the Human Genome during the Past Half-million Years

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Zhou ◽  
Sile Hu ◽  
Rostislav Matveev ◽  
Qianhui Yu ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Human Genome ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Balancing Selection ◽  
Brain Evolution ◽  
Modern Human ◽  
Time Estimates ◽  
Past Half ◽  
Disease Pathways

The spatiotemporal distribution of recent human adaptation is a long standing question. We developed a new coalescent-based method that collectively assigned human genome regions to modes of neutrality or to positive, negative, or balancing selection. Most importantly, the selection times were estimated for all positive selection signals, which ranged over the last half million years, penetrating the emergence of anatomically modern human (AMH). These selection time estimates were further supported by analyses of the genome sequences from three ancient AMHs and the Neanderthals. A series of brain function-related genes were found to carry signals of ancient selective sweeps, which may have defined the evolution of cognitive abilities either before Neanderthal divergence or during the emergence of AMH. Particularly, signals of brain evolution in AMH are strongly related to Alzheimer's disease pathways. In conclusion, this study reports a chronological atlas of natural selection in Human.

scholarly journals Shareholder short-termism in the UK: The kay review and the potential role of corporate law

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Kokkinis
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Equity Markets ◽  
Voting Rights ◽  
Corporate Law ◽  
Executive Remuneration ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Short Termism

This paper examines the notion of short-termism and assesses the potential impact of short-termist shareholder pressures on corporate governance in light of available empirical evidence on the effects of institutional shareholder ownership on corporate performance. Its main aim is to evaluate the adequacy of the recommendations included in the influential Kay Report and to assess the legal efficacy of the regulatory tools advocated by Kay. It is argued that although most of the Report’s recommendations are likely to alleviate the consequences of short-termism, the Report does not go far enough to ensure a definite change of culture and practice in equity markets. Therefore, further reforms are necessary in the area. In particular, it is expedient to robustly reform the structure of executive remuneration, facilitate a dialogue between companies and long-term investors, and reform shareholder voting rights to deter short-termist behavior and reward long-term investors

Emerging Life-Style Movements: Alternative to Overdevelopment?

1979 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart van Steenbergen ◽  
Gordon Feller
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Life Style ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Voluntary Simplicity ◽  
Life Styles ◽  
The North ◽  
Industrialized Nations ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
First World

This essay looks at the actual and potential role of emerging alternative life-style movements in dealing with the crisis of overdevelopment in the advanced industrialized nations. It examines the problems posed by overdevelopment and shows how two alternative life-style movements - the North American Movement for Voluntary Simplicity and the New Life-style Movement in the Netherlands - represent positive responses to them. Their values, objectives, as well as their potential impact upon their societies are analysed and critically examined. In this critique, the authors consider the conditions under which alternative life-styles might be more widely adopted in First World societies in general.

Awareness in metaphor understanding

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Stöver
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Theoretical Investigation ◽  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Relevance Theory ◽  
Metaphor Comprehension ◽  
Reflective Reasoning ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Difference

This paper argues that a cognitive account of metaphor comprehension needs to include awareness of metaphoricity in order to fully explain the processes involved. In Relevance Theory as well as in other cognitively oriented approaches, much can be gained by making explicit the difference between conscious and subconscious processing: whether a communicator is aware of an expression’s metaphoricity or not may have an impact on the type of cognitive processing involved. A theoretical investigation is offered which explores the potential role of reflective reasoning in metaphor understanding. The discussion is based on the relevance-theoretic account, which explains the subconscious inferential processes involved. However, it leaves open the question of the potential impact of conscious availability of the tension between literal and figurative meaning, which is reminiscent of domain mappings in Cognitive Linguistics. Within metaphor research, a focus on awareness offers valuable findings for cognitively oriented schools of thought.

scholarly journals Tumor-Cell–Macrophage Fusion Cells as Liquid Biomarkers and Tumor Enhancers in Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yariswamy Manjunath ◽  
David Porciani ◽  
Jonathan B. Mitchem ◽  
Kanve N. Suvilesh ◽  
Diego M. Avella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Intercellular Connections ◽  
Cell Fusions

Although molecular mechanisms driving tumor progression have been extensively studied, the biological nature of the various populations of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) within the blood is still not well understood. Tumor cell fusion with immune cells is a longstanding hypothesis that has caught more attention in recent times. Specifically, fusion of tumor cells with macrophages might lead to the development of metastasis by acquiring features such as genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity, chemotherapeutic resistance, and immune tolerance. In addition to the traditional FDA-approved definition of a CTC (CD45-, EpCAM+, cytokeratins 8+, 18+ or 19+, with a DAPI+ nucleus), an additional circulating cell population has been identified as being potential fusions cells, characterized by distinct, large, polymorphonuclear cancer-associated cells with a dual epithelial and macrophage/myeloid phenotype. Artificial fusion of tumor cells with macrophages leads to migratory, invasive, and metastatic phenotypes. Further studies might investigate whether these have a potential impact on the immune response towards the cancer. In this review, the background, evidence, and potential relevance of tumor cell fusions with macrophages is discussed, along with the potential role of intercellular connections in their formation. Such fusion cells could be a key component in cancer metastasis, and therefore, evolve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in cancer precision medicine.

The Relationship Between Individual Differences in Male Song Frequency and Parental Care in Blackcaps

Behaviour ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 126 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Dittami ◽  
Maria Hoi-Leitner ◽  
Heidrun Nechtelberger
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Parental Behavior ◽  
Alarm Call ◽  
Feeding Rates ◽  
Fitness Benefits ◽  
Song Frequency ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractSong rates in male blackcaps were examined over the course of the breeding season and compared with various aspects of mating and later parental behavior in individual birds. Song rates decreased steadily over the breeding season although relative individual rates remained constant. Early territory holders sang more and mated faster than late-comers. Song frequency was positively related to alarm call frequency during nesting but negatively related to male incubation and offspring feeding rates. Surprisingly, under the conditions studied, higher song rates were indicative of higher nesting success. This demonstrates the potential role of song frequency in the advertisement of territorial quality. There may well be either environmentally dependent differences in parental care as adaptations to temperature, food or predation pressure or simply a trade-off for males between singing and parental care, where early arriving males derive greater fitness benefits from singing, while late arriving males benefit more from engaging in parental care.

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