Does Origin Matter? Ethnic Group Position and Attitudes Toward Immigrants: The Case of Russia

This article analyzes the relationship between the relative position of an ethnic group, as measured by its majority/minority status at a subnational level, and attitudes of its members toward immigrants of different origins. Based on the Russian case, it addresses the question whether the effects of in-group majority status within a region on attitudes toward the general category of immigrants hold regardless of out-group origin and, if not, what may drive this variation. Using data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey of the Higher School of Economics and Bayesian hierarchical structural equation modeling, the study demonstrates that the relative position of an ethnic in-group is of varying importance as a predictor of attitudes toward migrant groups of European versus non-European origin in Russia. A group’s majority status within a region proved to play a role in predicting attitudes toward migrants originating from the “south” (encompassing North and South Caucasus; Central Asia; and China, Vietnam, and Korea) but not toward migrants coming from the “west” (Ukraine and Moldova). We draw on arguments related to the source and the level of threat induced by the out-groups, ethnic hierarchies, and group cues to explain this pattern of results.

Polyhalogenated aminobenzonitriles vs their co-crystals with 18-crown-6: amino group position as a tool to control crystal packing and solid-state fluorescence

A series of para- and ortho-aminobenzonitriles differing in the nature and number of halogen substituents was used to synthesize 2:1 co-crystals with 18-crown-6 ether. Supramolecular structure of the obtained co-crystals...

Molecular Recognition and Shape Studies of 3- and 4-Substituted Diarylamide Quasiracemates

Families of quasiracemic materials constructed from 3- and 4-substituted chiral diarylamide molecular frameworks were prepared, where the imposed functional group differences systematically varied from H to CF3–9 unique components for each isomeric framework. Cocrystallization from the melt via hot stage thermomicroscopy using all possible racemic and quasiracemic combinations probed the structural boundaries of quasiracemate formation. The crystal structures and lattice energies (differential scanning calorimetry and lattice energy calculations) for many of these systems showed that quasienantiomeric components organize with near inversion symmetry and lattice energetics closely resembling those found in the racemic counterparts. This study also compared the shape space of pairs of quasienantiomers using an in silico alignment-based method to approximate the differences in molecular shape and provide a diagnostic tool for quasiracemate prediction. Comparing these results to our recent report on related 2-substituted diarylamide quasiracemates shows that functional group position can have a marked effect on quasiracemic behavior and provide critical insight to a more complete shape space, essential for defining molecular recognition processes.

Effect of Ursolic and Oleanolic Acids on Lipid Membranes: Studies on MRSA and Models of Membranes

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen and the major causative agent of life-threatening hospital- and community-acquired infections. A combination of antibiotics could be an opportunity to address the widespread emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, including Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA). We here investigated the potential synergy between ampicillin and plant-derived antibiotics (pentacyclic triterpenes, ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA)) towards MRSA (ATCC33591 and COL) and the mechanisms involved. We calculated the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) and demonstrated synergy. We monitored fluorescence of Bodipy-TR-Cadaverin, propidium iodide and membrane potential-sensitive probe for determining the ability of UA and OA to bind to lipoteichoic acids (LTA), and to induce membrane permeabilization and depolarization, respectively. Both pentacyclic triterpenes were able to bind to LTA and to induce membrane permeabilization and depolarization in a dose-dependent fashion. These effects were not accompanied by significant changes in cellular concentration of pentacyclic triterpenes and/or ampicillin, suggesting an effect mediated through lipid membranes. We therefore focused on membranous effects induced by UA and OA, and we investigated on models of membranes, the role of specific lipids including phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin. The effect induced on membrane fluidity, permeability and ability to fuse were studied by determining changes in fluorescence anisotropy of DPH/generalized polarization of Laurdan, calcein release from liposomes, fluorescence dequenching of octadecyl-rhodamine B and liposome-size, respectively. Both UA and OA showed a dose-dependent effect with membrane rigidification, increase of membrane permeabilization and fusion. Except for the effect on membrane fluidity, the effect of UA was consistently higher compared with that obtained with OA, suggesting the role of methyl group position. All together the data demonstrated the potential role of compounds acting on lipid membranes for enhancing the activity of other antibiotics, like ampicillin and inducing synergy. Such combinations offer an opportunity to explore a larger antibiotic chemical space.

Marginalization as a Structural Constraint: How Group Position Shapes Out-Group Hostility

Theories of out-group hostility have long held that attitudes about marginalized groups are important predictors of policy support. These theories, however, have mostly examined the attitudes of white people and sexual orientation has rarely been a category of analysis. Thus, we know less about whether these theories are conditional on group position in racial and sexual hierarchies. This paper argues that processes of marginalization shape out-group hostility. Using comparative relational analysis, I examine support for pro-minority policies among white lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, straight people of color and whites. I find that ethnocentrism is not a general predictor of out-group hostility among the members of marginalized groups. Alternatively, group-targeted homophobia, racism, and nativism predict opposition to pro-minority policies, but the members of marginalized groups have more egalitarian attitudes overall. These findings challenge long-held conventional wisdoms about prejudice, underscoring the importance of centering on marginalized groups in public opinion.

Left atrial reservoir strain is reduced in patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries

Background Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) represents a management conundrum given the poorly understood pathogenic mechanisms. In recent years, novel echocardiographic measures such as deformation/strain analysis have enabled early identification of left atrial (LA) remodelling and dysfunction which take place prior to structural alterations. LA dysfunction is an important biomarker of cardiovascular disease and an independent predictor of atrial arrhythmias which may play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of MINOCA. Purpose The goal of our study was to evaluate and characterise LA function by speckle tracking strain echocardiography in patients with MINOCA. Methods Patients admitted to our institution with acute myocardial infarction were assessed and those diagnosed with MINOCA who underwent transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) within 48-hours of their coronary angiogram were included. Diagnosis of MINOCA was based on the 2017 ESC working group position paper on myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries. Two-dimensional speckle tracking strain analysis of the LA and left ventricle (LV) was performed offline using vendor independent software (TomTec Arena). Clinical and echocardiographic measures were compared to healthy controls identified from our echocardiography database. We excluded patients with history of atrial fibrillation, heart failure and LV dysfunction (LVEF <50%). Results The cohort consisted of 82 patients; 41 patients with MINOCA were compared to 41 age and sex matched controls (61% male, mean age 51±12.8 years). At baseline, patients with MINOCA had a higher prevalence of modifiable vascular risk factors including smoking, hypertension and diabetes (p<0.001 for all). Of the echocardiographic parameters, no differences in left ventricular (LV) parameters including LV global longitudinal strain (p=0.463), indexed LV mass (p=0.084) and the E/e' (p=0.391) was appreciated. Though there was no difference in LA volumes or volumetric parameters of LA function (LAEF; p=0.328), patients with MINOCA had a lower LA reservoir strain (29.7±8.5% vs 33.2±6.5%; p=0.04; 95% CI 0.32–5.33). Conclusion Patients with MINOCA demonstrated lower LASr despite normal LV and LA volumes. This suggests that LA dysfunction may play a role in the pathogenesis of MINOCA. Further studies are required to evaluate the significance of our findings. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Challenges in Cardiovascular Pharmacogenomics Implementation: A viewpoint from the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy

Pharmacogenomics promises to advance cardiovascular therapy, but there remain pragmatic barriers to implementation. These are particularly important to explore within Europe, as there are differences in the populations, availability of resources and expertise, as well as in ethico-legal frameworks. Differences in healthcare delivery across Europe present a challenge, but also opportunities to collaborate on PGx implementation. Clinical work force upskilling is already in progress but will require substantial input. Digital infrastructure and clinical support tools are likely to prove crucial. It is important that widespread implementation serves to narrow rather than widen any existing gaps in health equality between populations. This viewpoint supplements the working group position paper on cardiovascular pharmacogenomics to address these important themes.

The internal dosimetry user group position statement on molecular radiotherapy

The Internal Dosimetry User Group (IDUG) is an independent, non-profit group of medical professionals dedicated to the promotion of dosimetry in molecular radiotherapy ( www.IDUG.org.uk ). The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017, IR(ME)R, stipulate a requirement for optimisation and verification of molecular radiotherapy treatments, ensuring doses to non-target organs are as low as reasonably practicable. For many molecular radiotherapy treatments currently undertaken within the UK, this requirement is not being fully met. The growth of this field is such that we risk digressing further from IR(ME)R compliance potentially delivering suboptimal therapies that are not in the best interest of our patients. For this purpose, IDUG proposes ten points of action to aid in the successful implementation of this legislation. We urge stakeholders to support these proposals and ensure national provision is sufficient to meet the criteria necessary for compliance, and for the future advancement of molecular radiotherapy within the UK.

Anchoring Groups Determine Conductance, Thermopower and Thermoelectric Figure of Merit of an Organic Molecular Junction

Transport properties of molecular junctions are prone to chemical or conformational modifications. Perturbation of the molecule-electrode coupling with anchoring groups or functionalization of the molecule with side groups is a well-characterized method to modulate the thermoelectric properties of molecular junctions. In this study, we used wide-band approximation combined with the non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) formalism to inspect conductance, thermopower and figure of merit of an anthracene molecule coupled to gold (Au) electrodes. To provide a comparative study, three different anchoring groups were used, i.e., thiol, isocyanide and cyanide. The molecule was then perturbed with the amine side group in two positions to explore the interplay between anchoring groups and the side group. We showed that the introduction of side group alters transmission probability near the Fermi energy where transmission peaks are shifted relative to the Fermi level compared to the unperturbed molecule (i.e., without side group), ultimately leading to modified electrical and thermoelectric properties. The greatest value of electrical conductance was achieved when the side-group-perturbed molecule was anchored with isocyanide, whereas the thiol-terminated molecule perturbed with the side group yielded the greatest value of thermal conductance. We found that the Wiedemann-Franz law is violated in the Au-anthracene-Au device. Furthermore, the highest thermopower and figure of merit were attained in the cyanide-terminated perturbed molecule. Our results indicate that charge donating/accepting character of the anchoring group and its interplay with the side group position can modify temperature dependency of conductance, thermopower and figure of merit which is in agreement with experimental findings in organic molecular junctions. Such modifications may potentially contribute to the understanding of emerging conductance-based memory devices designed to mimic the behavior of brain-like synapses.